Captain Joe calls EVERY player to lift team spirits

JOE ROOT has picked up the phone to every single England player over the last two weeks in a bid to maintain dressing room bonds.

England’s Test captain admitted the lockdown has been particularly tough for teammates and groups who normally live in each other’s pockets.

And while everyone is having to adapt to a new reality, he is trying to be the hub around which Test players can rally for support.

“I’ve actually been in touch with every single player over the last couple of weeks to make sure everyone is okay, make sure everyone is getting their stuff done,” he said.

“I’ve been trying to get a bit of feedback as well. We have some time on our hands to have a good assessment of where we are as a team.

“I suppose we can look at a few things and use this as an opportunity to take the team forward. There is obviously a lot of uncertainty about when things will start again.

“One thing the guys have done really well is try to stay active, stay fit, stay positive.

“That’s been quite clear when I’ve called.” Root conceded the abandonment of the Sri Lanka tour – England would have concluded the two-test series today – has interrupted momentum which had built up with the win over South Africa earlier this year.

“There are more important things to concern ourselves but from a cricketing point of view we were preparing ourselves well for the two Tests in Sri Lanka and we made big strides in South Africa,” he added.

“It felt like we were in a very strong position to do something again.”

With West Indies scheduled for the first of three early summer Tests in the first week of June, there is the possibility of the postponement of another series on top of Sri Lanka.

England have a limited overs tour scheduled in India in September and October, the Worldt20 in Australia in