Trisha Ghosal in London
England’s first innings, marked by lower-order resilience, has left them in a commanding position at Lord’s. “It’s a good score,” Joe Root said.
On England’s 387: “A Crucial Score on a Tricky Surface”
“This pitch plays best on Day 2, and it’s going to get even drier and slower. The runs we’ve got on the board — those two partnerships, especially Brydon’s management of the situation — were absolutely crucial.”
Root believes the conditions will only deteriorate. “It’ll go up and down, maybe turn. But there’s always something to work with, especially with the slope.”
On Breaking the Catching Record: “Just a Catch, Really”
Root set a world record for most catches by a fielder who is not a wicketkeeper and also became England’s most successful slip catcher in Tests, overtaking Alastair Cook. “It was just a catch,” he said with characteristic humility. “Plenty of drops in there too. But nice to break that stand and shift momentum.”
On Jofra Archer’s Return: “He’s Smiling, We’re Smiling”
Root was all smiles when speaking about Archer’s long-awaited Test return. “The crowd felt it, the team felt it. He brings that X-factor,” he said. “The pace was up again, hovering around 90mph. When your best opposition batter walks in and the captain gives Jofra the ball — that tells you everything. It must’ve given him a big lift.” Root praised Archer for the way he complements the rest of England’s attack.
On Gill’s Dismissal: “Clever Bowling on a Tough Wicket”
Speaking on Shubman Gill’s wicket, Root credited the bowlers. “Smart cricket. On a slow surface with a slope, you put someone back in the crease and it creates more modes of dismissal. He’s in red-hot form, so that was a key breakthrough.”
On the Pitch: “It’s Not Getting Quicker, It’s Getting Tricky”
Root offered a realistic outlook: “I don’t see this pitch getting any quicker or bouncier. It’ll get more uneven. Batting last won’t be easy. If we grab a couple wickets early tomorrow, it puts us in a strong position.”
On the Ball Issue: “Let’s Use Three Challenges Per 80 Overs”
While Bumrah tiptoed around the controversial ball changes, Root offered a solution. “Handmade balls vary, especially in this heat. But to avoid wasting time, maybe each team gets three challenges per 80 overs to request a ball change. That strikes a balance.”
On Over-Rates: “30°C Here Feels Like 45° to Us”
With 22 overs lost across two days, Root admitted England’s struggle with the over-rate. “It’s hard in this heat. Not something we’re used to. You try and stay on top of it, but there’s no easy fix.”
On Adapting His Batting: “That’s the Art of It”
Root concluded with a masterclass in Test-match temperament: “Each week, each pitch asks something different. You change your guard, adjust for slope, manipulate angles. That’s the art of batting —controlling the conditions before they control you.”
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz