It was a good opening day for the new captain says Peter Hayter, but it gets tougher from here on.
Not that he seemed to have much doubt before hand but Andrew Strauss has nominated Joe Root’s innings in last year’s losing World T20 final as the evidence he needed to know for sure that the Yorkshireman had what it took to succeed Alastair Cook as England’s next Test captain.
Speaking in the players’ dining room at Headingley on the day Root was unveiled as their 80th skipper, the director of England cricket had been asked why, when the 79th rang to tell him enough was enough, he was so sure whom to call next.
And it turns out that, while the rest of the nation took another image from that April night at Eden Gardens, that of Ben Stokes on his knees after Carlos Brathwaite had hit the first four balls of the final over for six to win the game for West Indies, Strauss had also filed away Root’s 36-ball 54, with which he rebuilt the innings from 8-2 and 23-3 to what should have been a trophy-winning 155-9, for future reference.
For it showed him just how tough Root could be when the going got tough and tough does not come much tougher than what England and their new leader Root will face in the next 12 months in a Test programme schedule that begins with series against South Africa and West Indies and culminates, in case anyone wants reminding, with the mission to retain the Ashes Down Under this winter and to wipe out memories of their dire 5-0 thrashing there last time around.
“I just think what is interesting with all players is how they handle high pressure situations,” explained Strauss. “For me, I personally think one of the best innings Joe has played – and I know it’s not relevant in this context because it wasn’t in Test cricket – was the final of the World T20 and how well he was able to keep control of himself in a highly pressurised situation.
Esta historia es de la edición February 17,2017 de The Cricket Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 17,2017 de The Cricket Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.