London, April 27 (TNS): Joe Root is hoping to take his batting to the next level during England’s summer internationals, starting against Pakistan next month, British media reported on Friday.
England’s Test captain wants to contribute some “really big scores” as they bid to bounce back from winter defeats in Australia and New Zealand.
Root accepts his conversion rate from 50 to 100 is something that needs improving and has pointed to other captains, including Yorkshire team-mate Kane Williamson, as examples to follow.
The Sheffield star returned to training at Emerald Headingley today ahead of his two-match County Championship stint with Yorkshire, who suffered more frustration as the opening day in their clash with Somerset at Taunton was washed out.
Root is due to play for the Tykes at Essex (starting on May 4) and Surrey (beginning on May 11).
“I want to set the example and lead from the front,” he said. “And you do that by making some really big scores.
“I’ve not managed to go on this winter and get beyond 70 or 80. That’s a big driver for me, once I get in go and get big scores that win games. You don’t just contribute to a total, you really set a benchmark.
“You look around the world at guys like Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli. Whenever they’ve taken over the captaincy, they’ve gone to another level.
“I don’t see why I should be any different. I can see it as a real good motivator.”
Root, 27, was speaking at the recent opening of his new Academy at Abbeydale Park in Sheffield.
Since his last Test century against the West Indies at Edgbaston last August, he has passed 50 on nine occasions, including seven times this winter with one not out at Sydney when he retired with dehydration.
He said: “It is quite frustrating, but the counter argument is that I’ve been very consistent in keeping putting myself in those positions where I’m 50 or 60 not out.
“If I can continue to do that, I know I’m a good player and am capable of making big scores against the best teams in the world.
Courtesy: Telegraph & Argus
