Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BOTHAM South Africa have big problems, but this is no time for sympathy ..it’s time to cash in
THE Joe Root era started with a bang and startled one or two South Africans in the process.
The way England played at Lord’s is a good omen for the series because I thought they bossed the game and apart from the first session of the first day, I don’t think South Africa were ever on top again.
In the end they won convincingly, and now is the time to keep the foot on the throat and be ruthless in the second Test.
I don’t see them easing up now Joe has had a taste of success as captain. When things are going your way you have to take full advantage.
As Joe himself said, if you’re given a chance you have to cash in, so the key is for England not to give South Africa that opportunity to come back.
The Proteas will miss the suspended Kagiso Rabada (right, bottom) at Trent Bridge. He is a talented cricketer, but has to be careful with how he goes about it. You don’t want to be missing games for things you can easily avoid.
Faf du Plessis is back as captain and has a hell of a job to do. He must try to get his team back together, strong and firing on all cylinders and that won’t be easy without their strike bowler.
But that is a problem for Du
Plessis (right) to worry about, not Joe and England’s. All
Root has to focus on is building on what was a perfect start in the job and continuing to get the best out of his players.
Moeen Ali was brilliant with his contributions, but there were others too. Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes all chipped in.
And of course it is not too often the captain makes 190 and doesn’t get the man-of-thematch, which shows you how good Moeen was. It is way too early to assess how Joe did as captain in the field, his tactical approach, how he managed his bowlers. It was just one game and no judgement can be made of the skipper after a single outing.
What can be said is the balance of team meant absolutely every base was covered no matter what the situation or how the surface played.
I personally think Joe should still bat at No.3, and maybe that will come with time.
That was where the great Ricky Ponting batted as captain, and it doesn’t seem to be doing Steve Smith or Kane Williamson any harm.
It is something to consider down the line.