England v South Africa - Joe Root ready for scrutiny that comes with new lead role

Joe Root is relishing the start of his tenure as England captain at last '“ but knows his new role will impose a level of scrutiny he has never previously experienced.
England captain Joe Root interviewed by the press during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PAEngland captain Joe Root interviewed by the press during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PA
England captain Joe Root interviewed by the press during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PA

As he prepares to toss up in a Test blazer for the first time against South Africa at Lord’s today, the Yorkshireman needs little reminding that results will quickly dictate when he must don another go-to accessory – the metaphorical flak jacket all England captains tend to need sooner or later.

Root’s reign will begin, of course, with a feelgood mood at the Home of Cricket as he tries to kickstart a successful era following Alastair Cook’s resignation five months ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since then, he has had ample opportunity to plan how to refresh a team Cook conceded had ‘stagnated’ towards the end of his record-breaking leadership.

England's captain Joe Root (right) talks to head coach Trevor Bayliss during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PAEngland's captain Joe Root (right) talks to head coach Trevor Bayliss during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PA
England's captain Joe Root (right) talks to head coach Trevor Bayliss during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PA

Root has already ensured an early focus for would-be detractors thanks to the recall of Gary Ballance, perceived as his personal pick – and a conservative one at that, which jars with those who would rather be enraptured with statements of intent about attacking cricket whenever possible.

The new captain’s early standing will be directly influenced by Ballance’s ability to justify his return, in the pivotal No 3 slot as Root himself drops down to four.

Root, who also announced Liam Dawson will win his second Test cap in this first of four matches over five weeks, bore no signs of the care-worn leader just yet at his set-piece pre-match press conference.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“For it to finally come round has made it feel a little bit more real ... I just want to get out there,” he said.

Gary Ballance, seen above after a dismissal in Bangladesh last year, is back in the reckoning under Yorkshire team-mate and new Test captain, Joe Root. Picture: AP/A.M. AhadGary Ballance, seen above after a dismissal in Bangladesh last year, is back in the reckoning under Yorkshire team-mate and new Test captain, Joe Root. Picture: AP/A.M. Ahad
Gary Ballance, seen above after a dismissal in Bangladesh last year, is back in the reckoning under Yorkshire team-mate and new Test captain, Joe Root. Picture: AP/A.M. Ahad

“It’s been a very long wait, and for this week to finally come around and to get the squad working together has been fantastic. I’m very excited.”

At 26, he is about to become England’s 80th Test captain and will discover soon enough how long the honeymoon is likely to last.

Is he ready for the armchair critics, though?

“We’ll see over time,” he said. “Who knows?

England captain Joe Root during the nets session at Lord's on Thursday. Picture: Nigel French/PAEngland captain Joe Root during the nets session at Lord's on Thursday. Picture: Nigel French/PA
England captain Joe Root during the nets session at Lord's on Thursday. Picture: Nigel French/PA

“There’s a lot of unknown things coming into this job, but I’ve always been confident in what I’m capable of – and I don’t see why I’d go about this any differently.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Root did not confirm a personal testimony to the selectors for his friend and long-time Yorkshire team-mate Ballance – but is confident in the team chosen to face tourists who have a knack of excelling themselves in England.

“We had a selection meeting – I’d never experienced one before,” he added.

“We discussed a number of different things, and I’m very happy with the squad we came away with. I look at how (Gary) has performed this year and the amount of runs he has scored – and he has been phenomenal.

England's captain Joe Root (right) talks to head coach Trevor Bayliss during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PAEngland's captain Joe Root (right) talks to head coach Trevor Bayliss during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PA
England's captain Joe Root (right) talks to head coach Trevor Bayliss during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: Nigel French/PA

“When he has scored them, it has generally been when the side has been up against it.

“He is just that sort of character.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ballance mustered just 49 runs in his last six Test innings, before being dropped for a second time last winter, but has been back in prolific form in his first season as Yorkshire captain.

“A lot of people asked questions about the last time he played for England,” said Root.

“But I look at his game now, as do the other selectors, and he is a completely different player.

“He is desperate to prove a point and score some runs in this series.”

Gary Ballance, seen above after a dismissal in Bangladesh last year, is back in the reckoning under Yorkshire team-mate and new Test captain, Joe Root. Picture: AP/A.M. AhadGary Ballance, seen above after a dismissal in Bangladesh last year, is back in the reckoning under Yorkshire team-mate and new Test captain, Joe Root. Picture: AP/A.M. Ahad
Gary Ballance, seen above after a dismissal in Bangladesh last year, is back in the reckoning under Yorkshire team-mate and new Test captain, Joe Root. Picture: AP/A.M. Ahad
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

England will start their series against a team ranked two places above them on the back of eight Test defeats last year.

Root said: “I wouldn’t have taken the job on if I didn’t think I was capable of doing it and taking the side forward.

“We had a tough year last year in Test cricket, but I think a lot of the squad is very settled and has learned a lot from that and is ready to put that right this year.”

He will be watched by four generations of the Root family, bookended by granddad Don and his baby son Alfred, when he leads England out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Once in the middle, he will have vice-captain Ben Stokes at his side.

“I see him as a feisty character who is desperate to do well, and naturally he’s very good at setting the tone and example,” Root said of his trusted right-hand man. “People look up to him by the way he goes about his cricket.”

Root has been reassured by his team-mates’ response, from one to 11, to what he has had to tell them so far this week.

“They’ve been very good listening and, I hope, have been taking it on board,” he said. “They’re very excited, as I am, to get back into Test cricket.”