Root ready for a runs rampage
JOE ROOT believes England must take a more exciting approach to Test batting. England will give Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings opportunities to seal their spots as openers following Alastair Cook stepping down, in the three-match series against Sri Lanka from next month. But the Test captain hinted they are considering a more aggressive style, with Jason Roy at the top of the order. Burns was called up as a replacement for Cook, who retired as England’s highest scoring Test batsman, while Jennings will be given one more chance after a difficult summer.
Roy will be with the Lions in the UAE against Pakistan A.
“Obviously if another Cook comes along and that is going to be best option for us to go on and make big scores, then fantastic,” said Root at an event to promote a community volunteering initiative at the Village Hotel Club near Leeds.
But he added: “If it means opening batters bat in a more one-day fashion long term, I don’t think that is a bad thing for the game.”
Root accepts white-ball cricket has slowed the production line for Test-style openers.
But he feels Test cricket should embrace the new reality, adding: “It makes for exciting viewing. Ultimately it makes Test cricket as exciting as it can be.”
JOE ROOT met schoolchildren to help launch nationwide community project ‘The Village Green’ which sees hotel chain Village Hotel Club commit more than 30,000 hours per year to volunteering in the community.