Joe Root's flawless hundred in the fourth Test against India proves that he and England can adapt their methods, writes Stephan Shemilt.
At some point soon he will surpass Sir Alastair Cook as England's greatest Test run-scorer. He might even challenge India great Sachin Tendulkar as the most prolific the game has seen.
"If I'm being brutally honest there was the initial relief of coming out of the captaincy and now I'm just trying to find out what my role is within this team."This is allied to Root's repeatedly stated desire to repay Stokes for everything the all-rounder did under his leadership. A team man right down to his bone marrow, Root has wholeheartedly embraced the Stokes ethos.
If Root was aware of the collective concern, he gave little away. Those close to the England team said there were no signs of stress or anxiety in the build-up to the fourth Test in Ranchi. At 112-5, England were in danger of being overwhelmed on a pitch that resembled a dried-up riverbed. Akash Deep, on debut, hit stumps and bodies, took edges and pinned pads. Ben Stokes was lbw to a Ravindra Jadeja mullygrubber.
His ally was Ben Foakes, perhaps the one other player in the England XI less suited to Bazballing. If Root is the drummer tapping out the beat in the England band, Foakes is the roadie, doing the hardest work for the least praise, but impossible to put on a show without.
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