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    Root "I believe there’s a lot of cricket left in me"
Root "I believe there’s a lot of cricket left in me"
Joe Root. Source: reddit.com

Root "I believe there’s a lot of cricket left in me"

Despite being playfully nicknamed "grandad" by young talent Harry Brook, England's seasoned cricketer Joe Root says playing alongside a youthful Test squad makes him feel more like Peter Pan.

Once the fresh face in the team, Root is now England's most experienced player, with 144 Test caps over 12 years, including a significant period as captain. His role as the senior figure became even more pronounced following the retirement of fast-bowling legend James Anderson earlier this season.

Root showcased his experience with a crucial unbeaten 62, steering England to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on a sluggish Old Trafford pitch on Saturday, helping them chase down a target of 205.

Among the teammates celebrating England’s 1-0 lead in the three-match series were relative newcomers Shoaib Bashir, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Smith, who collectively have only 15 Test appearances.

For the second Test at Lord’s starting Thursday, England’s squad includes 20-year-old fast bowler Josh Hull, who was called up after Mark Wood was sidelined for the rest of the series due to a thigh injury.

“They don’t get any younger, do they?” Root joked after England secured their fourth win in as many Tests this season, following a 3-0 sweep of the West Indies.

“These young guys keep you feeling young. In this job, you can be a bit like Peter Pan—you never really have to grow up; you just think you’re the same age as the guys you’re batting with or the ones around you,” Root said.

He added, “The great thing is we all get on well, even if we give each other a bit of stick. Brooky was calling me grandad the other day… I mean, 33 is a bit young to be a grandad! It was hilarious; he was chasing me in the field, saying ‘Don’t let me catch you’ like it was a village game. That’s what you want—having fun and a laugh out there.”

Root emphasised how important it is to keep enjoying the game. “It’s nice to forget about the pressure and just enjoy it, and we managed to do that, which is a great place to be. I still feel pretty young and believe there’s a lot of cricket left in me.”

Looking ahead, England may include more rising stars when they announce their white-ball squads on Monday for next month’s series against Australia. Following the recent dismissal of limited-overs head coach Matthew Mott after disappointing World Cup campaigns, more changes could be coming, with veterans like Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali awaiting news about their international futures.

 

 

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