England’s Root keen to see ‘Bazball’ succeed abroad

Published September 29, 2022
Joe Root gestures as he leaves the crease after losing his wicket for 121 on the second day of the third Test between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, northern England, on August 26, 2021. — AFP/File
Joe Root gestures as he leaves the crease after losing his wicket for 121 on the second day of the third Test between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, northern England, on August 26, 2021. — AFP/File

LONDON: England’s aggressive approach to Test cricket under skipper Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum has paid rich dividends at home and batsman Joe Root is keen to see how it fares abroad in different conditions.

Casting aside caution and taking the game to the bowlers in an approach that has been dubbed Bazball, England have chased down intimidating targets with fearless batting to win six of their last seven tests, all on home soil.

They next visit Pakistan for a three-Test series in December followed by two tests in New Zealand in February and Root told Sky Sports he hoped England would go from strength to strength with their attacking brand of cricket.

“The challenge for us now is to keep going for it, keep trying to explore new areas in the format and see how far we can take it,” he said.

“You feel like you can win games from anywhere when you’re playing like this. I think that’s the most exciting thing and makes us such a dangerous team to play against.

“It would be really exciting to try and do it in different conditions and see where we go this winter, where we go abroad onto different surfaces in different parts of the world.”

Root was replaced by Stokes as Test captain but he still wants to help mentor the younger players in the side.

“I’m really excited just to get my teeth into trying to score as many runs as I can for Ben and the team and see where we can get to as a side,” he added.

“As an experienced player in the team I’ve still got a role in leading in a different capacity, helping with some of the younger batters and younger guys and hopefully that will benefit us as well.”

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....
Time to deliver
Updated 11 Nov, 2024

Time to deliver

Pakistan must display a serious commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation at home.
Smaller government
11 Nov, 2024

Smaller government

THE IMF bailout programme has put the government under pressure to curtail its spending, especially current...
Unsafe inheritance
11 Nov, 2024

Unsafe inheritance

DESPITE regulations, the troubling practice of robbing women of their rightful inheritance — the culprits are ...