Once unsure of his place in the Bazball era, Joe Root has found his best form by playing like Joe Root, writes Stephan Shemilt
Joe Root was standing on the outfield at Old Trafford after guiding England to victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test.
A team man and a loyal friend to Stokes, Root would have been at pains to support the message of ultra-positivity. Root’s reverse-scoop became both a symbol of the revamped England, but a threat to the effectiveness of their greatest batter.“As a previous captain who fitted back into the set-up, you’re so aware of not stepping on toes, not saying stuff in team meetings that is different to the captain’s message,” said Cook.
In India, it unravelled. Root’s reverse at Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test at Rajkot was caught at slip, sparked an England collapse and caused a national debate over the damage being done to one to one of the country’s most treasured assets. Like asking David Attenborough to knock wildlife on the head and try grime music instead.
After Rajkot and until this Test at Lord's, Root attempted only two reverse scoops, one after passing three figures against West Indies at Trent Bridge, the other with the game at Old Trafford in the bag. He missed the second one, too. “It was about trying to mentally put a nail in the coffin going into the second new ball and driving home in the last hour. We could have ended up getting 30 or 40 more runs if that was the case.”By the time the latest reverse caused his downfall, Root had notched more records in what will end as the most prolific career England Test cricket, and possibly even the game as a whole, will ever see.
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