London: Joe Root has said a year into captaincy has given him the experience he needs to move up the England batting order to the pivotal No.3 position for the two-Test series against Pakistan beginning, Thursday.
Since replacing Alastair Cook as the Test captain last year, Root has batted at number four and juggled the dual demands of being the leader of the side as well as their batting mainstay.
Coach Trevor Bayliss, though, has time and again said England’s best batsman should come at No.3 and the axing of James Vince for the series against Pakistan has ensured Root’s elevation.
“I think it’s an opportunity for me to take on a bit more responsibility at the top of the order,” Root said at the launch of England’s 2018 kit here, Friday evening. “I’ve had a year in captaincy now and I feel I’ve gained enough experience to feel comfortable doing that.
“For me it was getting used to the captaincy and making sure I could separate the two; that my full focus was on my batting when it came around,” added Root.
The England top order’s struggle for consistency was evident in their series defeats in Australia and New Zealand as Gary Ballance, Tom Westley and Vince all failed to establish themselves at No.3.
“I did it (bat at No.3) for one game in New Zealand and it didn’t work out there but this is a great opportunity to do it at home and it’s a great opportunity moving forward,” Root informed.
Wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow will bat at No.5 in a revamped batting order, while Jos Buttler, who has been in scintillating form in IPL-XI, has been selected as a specialist batsman at No.7.
I think batting at No.3 will make me more responsible. Ultimately it’s all about having that hunger to score runs on a consistent basis and keeping my focus intact
Joe Root
