Joe can be real four-ce
GARY FITZGERALD JOE ROOT should take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book if he wants to make a success of being England captain.
The India skipper and his Australian counterpart Steve Smith have both led their countries going in to bat at No.4.
And Root has been told he should follow suit to avoid any potential batting meltdown this summer.
Former Test star Geoff Boycott (below) said: “It’s a no-brainer. Joe simply has to go in at four and not three because it is asking too much of someone who is still relatively young and new to captaincy to bat higher.
“Especially because of all the interviews and other stuff an England captain has to do.
“It is best if he gives himself time after being out in the field to go back to the dressing room, sit down, have some respite and then go out to bat.
“Just ask Alastair Cook how tough it is to balance everything well.
“Joe will need to settle into the job and be given time and space to make his mark on the team. “He wants to do things his way and he will make mistakes. We all do in our careers and life. He will not get everything right straight away but he needs the best chance to do the best job possible.
“So taking a little pressure off him in terms of his batting would be the right thing to do.”
Root – England’s 80th Test captain – is eager to start on the front foot having accepted the task of succeeding Alastair Cook in the job.
The classy right-hander will discuss his batting position in the side with coach Trevor Bayliss prior to the first Test of his reign against South African in July.
And Root said: “It’s a decision I will have to make eventually and I will do what is best for me and the team.
“One thing I want to do is to help make the Test team the best in the world.
“To do that we need to be consistent and tough.” ENGLAND LIONS will take a lead of 261 runs into day three of their unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Kandy.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 167 in reply to England’s first innings of 316, with Middlesex’s Ollie Rayner taking 3-27.