TAKING WICKETS IS WICKED

Root: I can see why bowlers get so excited.. it’s more fun than batting (OK Joe, but don’t give up your day job)

JOE ROOT reckons taking wickets feels even better than his main job of scoring runs for England.

Root could follow the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya and Chris Gayle in blossoming into a world-class top-order batsman who bowls convincingly with the white ball.

The part-time off-spinner sent down his first 10-over spell in a one-day international at Lord’s on Sunday, taking a career best 3-52 against Ireland to go with his two wickets in Bristol against the same opponents last week.

“Taking wickets is so much better than scoring runs!” said Root, 26, after trying blind cricket with the NatWest No Boundaries campaign.

“Hopefully, the more I do it I’ll still keep that level of enjoyment. It is a nice feeling. I can see why some of the bowlers get so excited at times as it’s great fun.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a born-again bowler, but it was nice to roll the arm over again and contribute.

“I was not expecting to take as many wickets as I did in two games, but I’ll always take them. “It’s been nice to bowl and try a few different variations – change things up in terms of pace, arm height, release point. It was nice to see that a few of the things that I tried worked. “Hopefully, I can continue to develop those variations, as small as they might be and still be effective.” And if Root (celebrating with Mark Wood, left) gives skipper Eoin Morgan another spin option, England will have even more bases covered when the pitches in the Champions Trophy get slower and lower.

It has been claimed a stiff back might hamper his bowling and even how much T20 cricket he plays in future, but Root said: “There is nothing physically to stop me – not that I know of.

“I’ll be available to play in the T20s. I’ve no intention of resting from Twenty20 cricket in the future. I’ve still got a lot to offer.”

Sam Billings has pulled out of a return trip to the IPL to stay and play for Kent. His Delhi Daredevils side cannot get into the play-offs.