Root hoping to profit from his Indian exploits

Root, 21, has been named in England’s 16-man squad for the winter tour to India.

Root has only played 36 first-class games but he is poised to open the batting in place of Andrew Strauss, who stepped down as player and captain after the South Africa series.

Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan are also in the squad, which does not include controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen, while the county have two representatives in the 17-man England Performance Programme that will also be based in India and shadow the main squad – batsman Gary Ballance and off-spinning all-rounder Azeem Rafiq.

Reflecting on his call-up, Root said: “I’m obviously delighted. It’s what you play the game for.

“Just to be in the squad is a fantastic feeling and we’ll see where we go from there.

“I got the call off Geoff Miller on Monday. It was very nice to receive a call from the chairman of selectors. Hopefully it can be the start of something.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of it and getting to know the lads. I’ll be working really hard to put a case forward for myself.”

It has been a rapid rise for Root, who only made his first-class debut just over two years ago.

He has performed consistently for Yorkshire and also proved himself a more than capable fielder and occasional off-spinner.

This summer, Root scored 738 runs at 43.41 as Yorkshire clinched promotion back to Division One of the County Championship.

He won the inaugural LV County Championship Breakthrough Player of the Year Award and also scooped the prestigious Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year accolade.

Root has beaten off competition from Hampshire’s Michael Carberry and Warwickshire’s Varun Chopra to be included in the Test party.

Both Carberry and Chopra had their advocates but Root is perceived as the future and someone who could flourish for years to come.

With Compton also able to open, however, and with England having the option of moving Jonathan Trott up to open the batting, Root will take nothing for granted.

England play three three-day fixtures prior to the four-Test series, which starts in Ahmedabad on November 15, and Root intends to use his experience of being part of the Performance Programme that visited India last winter to help him hit the ground running.

“I think the experience I had there last winter will be beneficial,” he said.

“Hopefully, I can put it to good use if I get the opportunity to play in the games.”

Commenting on Root’s selection, national selector Miller said it was richly deserved.

“Joe Root is a player who has been successful at every level from county cricket through to EPP and England Lions,” said Miller.

“He deserves this opportunity to step up to the next level and press his case for a place in the Test side.”

Miller also paid tribute to Compton, the 29-year-old grandson of former Middlesex and England batsman Denis.

This summer, Compton scored 1,191 Championship runs at 99.25.

“Nick Compton has performed well consistently for Somerset in county cricket this season,” said Miller.

“He has scored big hundreds and shown that he has the temperament and the technique to play at a higher level.”

Miller confirmed that discussions concerning Pietersen’s international future are ongoing between the player and the England and Wales Cricket Board, with Pietersen not having represented England since last month’s Headingley Test after admitting sending “provocative” text messages about Strauss to members of the South Africa team.

The other notable absentees from the Test squad are batsmen Ravi Bopara and James Taylor.

Root’s call-up has also been warmly welcomed by Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket.

“I think Joe will do very well because he has the ability to adapt very quickly to different situations,” said Moxon.

“He is a very quick learner and I think he will take the challenge in his stride.

“The selectors sought our opinions here at Yorkshire and we said that if they were looking for a long-term solution, then Joe is the man.

“Hopefully, he will succeed in the short-term too, and he certainly has the talent to do that, but he has the ability to serve England well for a long period of time.”

Moxon also backed Ballance and Rafiq to follow Root into the Test fold.

Ballance, 22, was voted Yorkshire’s player of the season after some fine performances in all competitions, while Rafiq, 21, was Yorkshire’s second-highest wicket-taker in the Championship.

“They can aspire to that level, most definitely,” added Moxon.

“They’ve both got great talent and a great temperament, and it reflects well on the club that several of our players have had England recognition of varying forms.”

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