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Joe Root slams critics for comments on England's ODI form Photograph: (X)
Former England skipper Joe Root has mounted a strong defense of his team. Many former players including ex skipper Kevin Pietersen called out the Three lions recently. Criticism came about after England were whitewashed 3-0 by India in the recent ODI series.
Joe Root while speaking to BBC sport has hit back at the critics and said “They don't come to training. They don't see what we do and how we operate”. The 34-year-old is set to take to the field in England’s opening match of Champions Trophy against Australia on Saturday.
While England are coming into the tournament after their series loss against India their opponents too are in the same boat. Steve Smith and his Australian side recently lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka in what was seen as a tune-up to the upcoming tournament in Pakistan. in the second and final game, the Aussies lost by a massive 174-run margin.
Lack of ODI Cricket reason behind dip in form feels Joe Root
During his chat with BBC Sports, Joe Root stated that lack of regular ODI Cricket was one of the reasons behind the dip in form. England have played 14 ODI games since the 2023 World Cup in India and have won just four games. Brendon McCullum who has taken over as the white-ball coach as well will want to record the straight when his team takes to the field on Saturday.
Root said “It's just going to take something different. There isn't that opportunity to do play as regularly nowadays but it doesn't mean we can't be as successful as that team. There's just different challenges that we're going to have to overcome”
“Can we find a way to speed that process up by having good, smart conversations and using our experience and share them so that when you get to the crunch moments within big games you get the team across the line? I think we've got the right players that are able to do that and we've certainly got the talent." Joe Root added while looking ahead to the game against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.