Synopsis
Joe Root is making his much-anticipated return to England's ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He joins the team for the series opener against India at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, alongside Saqib Mahmood, as England seeks to strengthen its middle order.Key Takeaways
- Joe Root returns to England's ODI squad.
- England aims to stabilize the middle order.
- Root's recent form in SA20 league has been impressive.
- England faced a challenging T20I series against India.
- Root will bat at No. 3 in the lineup.
Nagpur, Feb 5 (NationPress) Joe Root, the former captain of England, is poised to make his highly anticipated comeback to the ODI lineup for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The squad was announced for the series opener against India, which is set to begin on Thursday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
Root, who was absent from England's T20I team, last participated in 50-over matches in November 2023 against Pakistan at Eden Gardens during the ODI World Cup. His inclusion is crucial as England aims to reinforce its middle order in conditions that favor spin ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The white-ball series in India has been tough for England, with Jos Buttler and his team suffering a 1-4 defeat in the T20I series. This loss represented a challenging initiation for head coach Brendon McCullum, who took over the leadership of England’s limited-overs squad for the first time ahead of this series.
Root enters the ODI squad after a successful tenure with Paarl Royals in the SA20 league in South Africa. His performance in the T20 tournament has been notable, amassing 279 runs at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 140. The seasoned batter also achieved two half-centuries, with a top score of 92, demonstrating his versatility across formats.
In addition to his batting prowess, Root has also been impactful with the ball, taking five wickets with his off-spin, which adds an essential skill set against India's formidable batting lineup.
“I’m really thrilled to be back involved. It’s been a considerable time, so being around the team and playing alongside some lads I haven’t seen in a while is incredibly exciting. And what a fantastic venue to return to,” Root expressed in a video shared by England Cricket.
“Having Baz with us for a while in the Test team, you know what he brings. His perspective on the game aligns perfectly with how the team is configured, and the talents we possess make for an exciting combination. When you amalgamate all of that, the potential for this team is limitless.”
“As the most experienced batter in the squad, I'm eager to dive into it. The more you play, the more wisdom you gain, and the more you can contribute, which is thrilling when collaborating with such gifted young batters. I anticipate being part of their journey,” Root added.
Joe Root is set to bat at No. 3, while Ben Duckett and Phil Salt will open the innings for England in the series opener.
England's playing XI includes:
Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Byrdon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.
