Joe Root: Self belief key for England ahead of World T20 final

Barnaby Read 00:43 02/04/2016
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  • Joe Root can’t wait to fight for the World T20 trophy in Kolkata.

    DELHI, India — England talisman Joe Root cut a confident figure at the team’s first media appearance ahead of their World T20 final against the West Indies, a relaxed air about the batsman highlighting the growing belief in the side.

    Root, who is second only to Virat Kohli as the highest run scorer since the Super 10s stage with 195 to his tally, has been pivotal in his team’s run to the final.

    “You can’t beat it can you? This is what you dream of as a kid, these opportunities to play in the final of a World Cup,” enthused Root. “Every time over the last couple of days I’ve looked around the dressing room or the lads in the bus or the flight over, they’ve just been smiling. I think everyone is just really excited and can’t wait to get out there on Sunday.

    “I’ve felt pretty good throughout the competition and it’s now about putting one more strong performance in and just adapt to the situation when we get out there.”

    England have improved with every outing and now face a West Indies outfit enjoying its cricket. This will be the second clash between the sides with the Windies hammering England in their opening match of the tournament.

    Neither team looks overawed by the occasion and having been largely written off before the start of the competition, both will be keen to make the most of an opportunity that many outsiders thought was beyond them in India.

    The West Indies team was shrouded in infighting and rows over payment that have failed to dim their hopes while England were seen as being out of touch with the modern game.

    But in the jubilant West Indies celebrations and infectious combination of style and substance that this England side have found, these two look at the top of their games.

    With each camp so buoyant, it promises to be a thrilling final at Eden Gardens. Both teams are littered with power hitters and players blessed with a calm assuredness required on the big stage.

    And while England’s batsmen tend to work on pressuring the field with hard running as well as clearing the ropes, the West Indies prefer to simply go big, a tactic that saw off India in the semi-final.

    And despite the convincing Windies win at the start of the tournament, Root is certain that England have come a long way since then and it is hard to disagree considering their complete performance with bat and ball against the much fancied New Zealand in the semis.

    “I don’t think there’s been an attitude swing. I think we stayed true to what we believe in as a side and the way we want to play our cricket and I think that’s been the most important thing for us, making sure we didn’t go away from how we wanted to play,” said Root of England’s improvement.

    “Having that self belief in each other and ourselves meant we could get that win over South Africa and build confidence from that point onwards. The best thing about it is that everyone is contributing in some way shape or form.”

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