JOE KICKING HIMSELF FOR FAILING TO CONVERT YET ANOTHER 50
WHEN it comes to conversions, Joe Root could do with some tips from Jonny Wilkinson.
It is crazy to suggest that Root has had anything other than a stellar year with the bat, reeling off almost 1,500 runs at an average of 50.72.
And yet when it comes to cricket’s conversion rate, the number of times a batsman turns a fifty into a hundred, Root is somewhat lagging
behind the best in the keeper and after originally being given not out it was overturned by an inspired review from India.
The batsman (above) couldn’t quite believe the result and kicked a bottle of water in anger which could yet land him in hotter water with the match referee. “I was convinced I didn’t hit it,” he added. “If you look at the keeper’s reaction he does nothing.
“I was a bit childish with my reaction when I was out, but playing international cricket you’re going to be disappointed when you feel you’ve been hard done by even when you’re not.”
Root has got at least one score over 50 in each of his 11 Tests against India – the best run of any batsmen against one opposition. But yesterday’s dismissal for 88 means he has only ever gone on to complete three centuries against them.
“It is frustrating but I don’t think I’d have done anything differently if I had my time again, I’d still have played the same shot,” he added.
“It is something to keep in the back of my mind but it’s not going to change the way I go about my business. I’m still going to do things how I have done over the last year or so, but just be better at it.
“Maybe I might need to rein it in slightly, but at the same time if it is a bad ball then I’m going to want to hit it for four.” business. Of the quartet dominating global Test batting – India’s Virat Kohli, Aussie Steve Smith and Kiwi Kane Williamson – Root’s conversion rate is the lowest. “I’d be lying if I wasn’t to say I’m frustrated by it,” said Root. “But I feel like my game is in good order. He under-edged a big sweep against Ravi Jadeja to the HOW ROOT COMPARES TO BATTING’S BEST