Show me you’re good enough to beat best

ROOT ITCHING FOR INDIA CHALLENGE

JOE ROOT cannot wait to take on India after watching them “breach Australia’s fortress” – but admits his team must improve against Sri Lanka this week first.

England will face India and Australia in 14 of their next 17 Tests so Root was glued to the coverage from the Gabba as the injury-hit tourists became the first team to win in Brisbane since 1988.

While Root was still bathing in the warmth of his own side’s triumph at Sri Lanka’s fort, he knows India are operating at a level above where his team need to be. “The fortress has been broken,” said Root.

“The Gabba has been breached. It was good to watch such good Test-match cricket.

“India are a side with resilience and character and we know we will have to be at our best when we go out there.

“We’ve certainly played some good cricket and are shaping up very nicely – now it’s a question of whether we can carry on in the manner we are and continue to improve. We’ve got areas we can get better in from the last game. It wasn’t a perfect performance.

“It wasn’t the complete game from us so we have room to improve to try and keep this decent run going.”

It makes sense for Root to not get too far ahead of himself because not only will

India be a bigger challenge, but Sri

Lanka on Friday will surely be far better than the first-innings horror show that cost them the first Test.

They will also have a couple of cracks to pick at, such as England’s opening pair Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, who had a tough baptism. Root and Jonny Bairstow have shown the value of their skill and experience and the skipper wants to see his players learning – even if it is the hard way.

“It didn’t quite fall for them this time but they are quick and smart learners who will be looking to turn things round in the next game,” added Root.

“This is an opportunity to show that they can play in these conditions and I also see it as being part and parcel of Test cricket. It is part of your development as a young player coming into the side.

“You need to know how to play in these conditions and not only will it benefit them long term playing in

Asia, but also in matches where pitches deteriorate late on. You’ve got to have a game for it.”