ROOTIN' AROUND

Joe still searching for where he fits in Bazball revolution

- DARREN WITCOOP

FORMER England captain Joe Root has admitted he has yet to nail down his role in Ben Stokes’ revolutionary regime.

Throughout his own five-year tenure, the side’s fortunes frequently lived and died on Root’s performances, but things have changed since he passed on the baton.

England’s 267-run win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui was their 10th win in 11 games since Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum took charge last summer, with the whole team buying into a aggressive blueprint with bat and ball.

Root was outstanding in the early stages of that run, with three hundreds and an unbeaten 86 but has added just a couple of half-centuries in the past seven Tests.