England will tour New Zealand next month with the intention of preparing for the ODI World Cup, where the performance of former Test captain Joe Root, who has been a standout for the team for many years, will also be monitored. Joe Root, who is currently playing for Dubai Capitals in the LT20 League in the UAE, spoke exclusively to our colleague Times of India about the preparations for the ODI World.
Why there has been a radical change in the England team
Joe Root was asked what was his take on the radical change that has been witnessed in the England limited overs cricket team in recent years. In response, Root said, ‘Clarity and confidence have contributed a lot to this. There is no answer to the depth we have in the limited overs team. Any player who gets a chance shows it from the start. Fierce competition is also one of the main reasons for the radical change in the team. There is no dearth of talent in the team and the players are capable of covering a lot of bases.
Apart from this, the title has to be defended as the defending champion in the ODI World Cup to be held in India. In such a situation, how difficult it would be for England even on what Root kept his point. He said, ‘There is always pressure during the World Cup and big tournaments. It is a part of the game and you cannot stay away from it. Then depends how you proceed in such situation. We are just making sure that our preparation is complete and tick the boxes that are left and prepare ourselves for Indian conditions. Because this year is very important for all of us.
England is ready for Indian conditions
He said, ‘There are many players in the team who have played a lot of cricket in Indian conditions. It is great to have the experience of playing in India. Players who have played a lot of cricket in those conditions (in India) will be most important for us. Apart from this, the England team is not looking to make things more complicated. We are just believing in ourselves, growing in confidence, and making sure that we prepare ourselves to execute our strategy at the right time.
Joe Root also spoke openly about his changed form in batting. He said, ‘You must have seen the kind of batting I used to do in the beginning but now I have changed it rapidly. You can probably say the same for many players who have been playing for the last 10 years. When I started playing, the technology was different but now a lot has changed. In such a situation, as a player, I also have to constantly innovate in my batting. You look at Steve Smith and Kane Williamson, their batting has also changed completely.
He said, ‘You can’t always be the same. At present, the opposing teams keep collecting information about you in every way. In such a situation, if you do not change yourself, then he will find a way to get you out. In such a situation, you should try to stay ahead of them. You have to be smarter than others and keep adding your experiences to the talent you have got.
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