Joe Root optimistic of England’s chances to defend ODI World Cup title

Former England Test skipper Joe Root is confident about England’s chances to defend their title in the 50-overs World Cup. The event is scheduled in India later this year. Root, who is plying his trade for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, also said that he hopes the experience of playing T20 cricket after a while will help him improve his white-ball cricket.

The 32-year-old stated that England players would use their experience of having playing in India, however, their success on Indian soil will depend on how well the English play spin on the Indian pitches.

“It’s (World Cup) a great opportunity, great chance, we have not experienced it before. To defend our world title is going be a great chance for us,” Root was quoted by India Today. “I think guys have spent a lot of time in India and understand those conditions well. It will depend on how we play spin consistently; how we can play in the limited number of 50-over games we have before the World Cup.”

Root has a phenomenal record in ODIs, having scored 6207 runs, including 16 hundreds, at an average of 50. However, since the 2019 World Cup, he has not hit a century and has averaged less than 30. Currently, he is playing in the ILT20 and he aims to use this tournament to brush up his white-ball skills.

“It’s great to be part of this tournament, we are getting great exposure… the competition has started so strongly. If you look around the league, some of the players and teams are of high quality. Aiming to be in the World Cup squad,” Root said.

“Look, at the end of the year we have (the) World Cup in India. I can learn a lot about myself (in ILT20), put myself in different scenarios. I have no experience (of limited-overs cricket) for a while. (I’ll) see if it (ILT20) can help me grow better as a player”, the right-handed batter signed off.