S Poddar
England captain Joe Root once more proved to be the man for the task as he marshaled his side to a hard-won victory over Sri Lanka at Old Trafford. Even though he has jokingly been termed the “Grandad” of the team due to his age, Root came out and reminded all in his true class, proving that age in the cricketing world is absolutely just a number.
This made the 33-year-old’s presence really count in a batting line-up that was already under duress from a testing Sri Lankan attack on a tricky wicket. His 62-run innings could be called nothing less than a masterclass in batting in a Test match, a great display of patience and ability. And his quick adaptability to tactics in any situation, at last playing a match-winning knock, showed his experience.
“I think the fact that everyone else is (younger), those guys they keep you young more than anything,” Root said. Looking at himself in the light of the team of many youngsters, the veteran batsman compared himself to Peter Pan (who stays forever young). That’s what makes it fun: that youthful vigor and energy around.”.
It has indeed been an extraordinary journey for Root in his role as England’s captain; it has been a mixed bag of streaks of success and challenges. But again, upon stepping down at the helm of captaincy, it seems that he has found back his freedom and enjoyment in the game. He can now continue to concentrate with a free mind on his batting, which directly helps the good cause of his team, to which he contributes in his best possible capacity.
Much documented, the camaraderie in the England dressing room is further illustrated by how they rib each other for a laugh and in fun. The excellent vibes are well documented by Root’s relationship with Harry Brook, another Yorkshireman. Brook’s tongue-in-cheek nickname for Root of “Grandad” is a light-hearted nod to the veteran’s experience and relatively wise head on young shoulders.
But while Root is the main hero with the bat, he also does it on a much larger scale.He is the mentor for the young players, transferring what he has gained in his experiences. His composure and the way he has handled the pressure, especially under a tough situation, has been such a great lesson for the burgeoning stars of English cricket.
Joe Root remains an important part of this changing England and their quest to shape up a team for years to come. The zeal he has for the game, among other things so special in his skill set, ensures that he remains a strong force well into the future.
