#360view: Joe Root can lead England revolution

Barnaby Read 18:20 13/02/2017
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    England cricket entered the next phase of its bold new era Monday with the appointment of Joe Root as captain.

    The best player in their ranks, at 26 years of age, now has the chance to take on South Africa and West Indies on home soil before an Ashes series this winter that will be the litmus test of his own credentials, as well as where his England side sits in world cricket.

    But Root should not, by then, be judged by results. Instead, it is the manner in which England are playing that should be his benchmark.

    Currently, after a chastening tour of India and Bangladesh that saw Alastair Cook’s 59 Test and four -year reign come to an end, England are a team bursting with talent but inexperienced and without balance.

    They are fourth in the ICC Test rankings, a little flattering considering England’s humbling at the hands of India and that Pakistan, in sixth, held them at home last summer when they moved top of the world list.

    Cook was right to step aside and Root is the obvious choice to take England forward considering his ability and stature in the side, which carries great respect in the dressing room and promises a change in protocol.

    Doubters will point to his lack of leadership outside of the England setup, but for a man that has been out of county cricket since making his debut in 2012 and was named vice-captain in 2015, the correct steps have been made in his ascent.

    There was no better mentor than Cook, who will be remembered as one of England’s greatest captains, but Root should mould England in his own image, or at least a similar one.

    Joe Root's Test career

    • Matches: 53
    • Runs: 4,594
    • Average: 52.80
    • 50s: 27 100s: 11

    For a blueprint, Root need look no further than the men his name is constantly linked to: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.

    The trio are undoubtedly products of the modern game, their names churned together in constant comparison, and for England to catch up with the rest of the world in Test cricket they needed to take heed from their rivals.

    Kohli usurped MS Dhoni, Smith replaced Michael Clarke and Williamson took over from Brendon McCullum.

    Like Root replacing Cook, those succession plans were vital in this age of Test cricket 2.0 which, at times, looks like it is being played in fast forward.

    Many believed that their weight of runs would be impeded by the extra responsibility but those naysayers underestimate the strength in character and love for the fight of these young men.

    They have each embraced captaincy, thriving on it; Root has the same composure, aggression and self belief of his contemporaries that suggests the future is bright for England.

    Kohli is a prime example in the Test sphere as to how such a personality and talent can inspire those around him, in both getting the best out of himself and his charges.

    Root can also look a lot closer to home for an example of how to mould a side and that England, so often the traditionalists, can lead the revolution by getting in the ear of Eoin Morgan – who has transformed England’s one-day side.

    While Morgan’s influence was felt almost overnight, Root’s may take a little more time. But he is lucky enough to blessed with a squad of players as familiar as they are capable of instigating England’s latest redesign.

    Under Root it should be a colourful one.

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