England batter Joe Root has downplayed David Warner’s jibe, in which the former Australian opener suggested Root would need to “take the surfboard off his front leg” to cope with Josh Hazlewood in the upcoming Ashes series in Australia later this year.
Test cricket’s second-most successful batter, Root has scored over 2,000 runs against Australia in 34 matches. Of those, he has played 14 Tests down under, scoring 892 runs at an average of 35.68. While those numbers aren’t too bad, Root has faced criticism for failing to convert his starts into centuries in Australia. Despite passing fifty on nine occasions, he is yet to reach three figures on Australian soil.
His record against Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood has been underwhelming. The talismanic English batter has been dismissed 12 times by Cummins and 10 times by Hazlewood in Test cricket.
Recently, Warner took a subtle dig at Root, saying: “Josh Hazlewood tends to have his number quite a lot. He (Root) will have to take the surfboard off his front leg.”
Asked during a media call about Warner’s comments, Root replied: “Just that. I can’t control how people see the game or what they say in interviews… I guess it’s all part of the fun. We’ll see what happens out there (with Warner at Lord’s). It’s not really in my nature to get too verbal.”
By his own admission, Root has been distracted by various factors during previous tours of Australia. This time, however, a more focused Root is determined to enjoy both the tour and the occasion.
“Clearly, the last few tours there have been loads of other things to contend with… a lot of distractions. This time, I just want to go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It’s a beautiful country, a great place to go and play cricket. It’s going to be hostile — everything you’d expect and want from an away Ashes series. That’s something you’ve got to relish. Going there with 150-odd Test matches under my belt, I feel I couldn’t be more ready for it,” asserted Root.
Root and Warner will face off in The Hundred on Thursday, when London Spirit take on Trent Rockets at Lord’s.
For More Sports Related News: Follow RevSportz