No rest for Root with T20 call-up
JOE ROOT is surprisingly set to be named tomorrow in England’s squad for the Twenty20 triangular series against Australia and New Zealand even though it would appear the perfect opportunity for him to rest.
The Daily Mail revealed last May that the management and coaches saw the shortest form of the game as the best chance for Root to recharge his batteries in light of the crippling schedules for cricketers who play in all three formats.
But he wants to play in the next World Twenty20 in Australia in two years’ time and is loath to give up his place to one of the many emerging batsmen waiting for their opportunity.
There is also the probability of earning big money in the Indian Premier League, even though it would add to the enormous workload of a Test captain who has endured a gruelling Ashes series. The Mail on Sunday understands Root may be rested instead during the 50-over matches in New Zealand that follow the tri-series in February but there is a 50-over World Cup in England next year and Root is integral to that.
England need to protect Root and other important players from themselves for the sake of their longevity as schedules are showing no signs of letting up. But the problem they have is telling him he cannot earn the millions his contemporaries from other countries do, those who do not have the same international demands.