Joe Root may not be in great touch concerning the ODI games that he has been playing lately but we all know he is a quality player. Root was the part of 2019 World Cup triumphant England team and has been first choice player in test and ODI team for England.
His recent form may suggest that he is not in good nick and England’s playing philosophy is quite unconventional while Root can be aggresive but at core, he is a conventional player who knows how to keep the scoreboard busy and running.
Four years have passed from the last World Cup but for Joe Root, the memory is quite refreshing about that event and with another World Cup on the horizon and an opportunity for England to defend their glory, everything about the game seems more vivid and lively to Root.
While speaking to ICC, Root said, “Having the experience of 2019 and how good that was and how much that meant to the group and for them to go out and get the opportunity to defend it is something we are relishing and really looking forward to.”
“We are going to have to play some really good cricket, we are going to have to adapt to different conditions and have that consistency that you need so we will see how we go.”
England as a team hasn’t been at its apex concerning ODIs but they are tournament favourites because they have showed signs of assemblance and deliverance in 3-4 months. With addition of young bowlers who are definitely game changer, England looks more settled and complete as an unit than it was 4-5 months ago.
Root believes that the younger ones are going to play a crucial role and there is a good faith around the team about its capabilities to play the most competitive brand of cricket at the highest level of game.
“It is very exciting to play in a World Cup event is something that you always look forward to as a player. Big tournaments and big moments is where you want to go out and perform and impress and deliver for your country,” Root said.
“You have to get to those last two games – the semi-final and the final – and it is about turning up and putting in the performance when it really counts.”
“Bairstow, Rashid to Star for England in World Cup,” Root
Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid were integral part of the English team in 2019 World Cup and they have been so since then. There lies a depth of experience, skill and ability to change the course of the game in these two outstanding players.
When asked who will have a great run with the bat in ODI Cricket World Cup, without a hesitation, Root mentioned the name of Jonny Bairstow. “He (Bairstow) is someone that always has a point to prove, he is a wonderful white-ball player and he has been so consistent for us at the top of the order,” Root said.
The other Englishman who will make significant impact, according to Root, is Adil Rashid. Purley because of subcontinent conditions and the skillset Rashid brings to his A game.
Roy Axed, Brook added to England’s World Cup 2023 Squad
“He (Rashid) has so many different skills and variations to call upon. We know how important it is to take wickets in the middle overs…he has done a wonderful job for us for a long time and I anticipate him being very difficult on these wickets,” Root said.
Before leaving for Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, Root will have a big moment against Ireland in the first ODI to elevate his game or at least, spend some time on the crease.
