Root warning for England after heavy defeat
JOE Root has warned England they must learn quickly from their Trent Bridge trouncing if they are to stay in the “driving seat” against India this summer.
England’s captain agreed that the hosts effectively lost the third Test, ultimately by 203 runs, in one session on day two when their “very poor” first-innings batting saw all 10 wickets fall between lunch and tea.
But he believes the way to turn the 2-1 lead they still have into series victory in Southampton next week lies not just in reflection on where it all went wrong here but also Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes’ exemplary batting in second-innings adversity.
Only one team in Test history, Don Bradman’s 1936/37 Ashes winners, have recovered from 2-0 down to prevail in any five-match series – but India have given themselves a chance of becoming the second.
Root, understandably, would prefer not to contemplate that eventuality just yet.
That does not mean he is shying away from reality, however – and after England were bowled out for 317 with only 17 deliveries needed for India to take one remaining wicket on the final morning, he acknowledged all the damage was done two days earlier.
“You can nit-pick around other areas within the game, but ultimately that first innings for us was very poor,” he said, before turning to the flip side of Buttler and Stokes’ defiant stand of 169.
“One thing that’s come from this game is that partnership between Jos and Ben, and it’s a great example and lesson of how to go about things in Test cricket.
“It’s still a great ‘learner’ for us, to see two guys who are generally very attack-minded adapt to a situation still probably in bowler-friendly conditions - and find a way to build a very strong partnership and put India’s bowlers under pressure.”
Further consolation for England lies, of course, in the series score after their wins at Edgbaston and Lord’s.
“We’re definitely in the driving seat, we have to keep remembering that,” added Root. “We have got a little bit of time now to go away and reflect on what has been a difficult week.
“But in England we are a very good side at bouncing back from a tough couple of days. I’m fully expecting the guys to come back to Southampton refreshed, ready to go.”