Joe Root’s ability to adapt to different formats and situations has impressed cricket enthusiasts, even when doubts arose about his suitability for the ultra-aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach introduced by coach Brendon McCullum. The 32-year-old batsman, not known for high strike rates in the past, has proven his quality on the field.
Root quickly adjusted to ‘Bazball,’ showcasing his skills effortlessly. He fearlessly executed reverse-scoops against pacers like Tim Southee, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland, hitting them for sixes. Moreover, Root has overcome his struggle of converting fifties into hundreds. In the first Ashes Test, he displayed his prowess by scoring a fluent 118 off 152 balls in the first innings, marking his 30th Test century. He followed it up with a brisk 46 off just 55 balls in the second innings.
Expressing gratitude, the former England captain credited Nasser Hussain for providing valuable advice that enabled him to convert his starts into substantial scores and manage his game effectively in Test cricket.
Joe Root said:
“Nasser Hussain gave me some information about modes of dismissal in different periods of my innings and how to manage my game,” Root told the BBC. “It’s nice to know there are people out there willing to help, even though it can seem like they are trying to rip your game apart on occasions. He went out of his way to make an impact in my career and I was grateful, because it was a big help.”
Before 2022, Root had 53 fifties and 23 hundreds. Since then, he has recorded seven centuries and five fifties.
‘It was about going out there to have some peace and quiet, having some time to myself’ – Joe Root reveals how he recovered from a period of indifferent form
Root said:
“There were periods when I was captain, batting wasn’t necessarily fun; it was about going out there to have some peace and quiet, having some time to myself. It was a time to shut off from the rest of the world, to just have me and the cricket ball. And it worked.”
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