With 1,300 runs at an impressive average of 61.90 in 13 Test matches in 2024, former England captain Joe Root is in dominant form. Additionally, he has hammered five hundreds, with the highest score of 262 coming in the opening Test match against Pakistan. He has surpassed former England captain Alastair Cook to become England’s top run scorer in Test matches.
Before considering retirement, the 33-year-old reportedly said he still has a lot of work to do. Having said that, the right-handed hitter has been challenged by Australian legend Ian Chappell.
When Joe Root faces Australia and India in their respective dens, Chappell said, his raiding style would be tested.
“When Root plays Australia away and India at home, his incredible run-making skills will be put to the test once more. Root will face up against the top Test cricket attacks in those two series, and his technique against pace and spin will once more be closely examined,” Chappell said in his piece.
Many variations of the sweep shot are not optimal: Ian Chappell
In the first Test against Pakistan, England took advantage of the flat Multan track, but in the second Test at the same location, they struggled to handle a spinning surface. Chappell warned the English not to rely solely on sweep strokes to counter the spin after the Pakistani spinners claimed all 20 of England’s wickets in the Test match.
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“As the most technically proficient player, Root will need to persuade his teammates that using multiple variations of the sweep stroke isn’t the best strategy for taking on skilled spinners. That will be a very tough challenge, even with Root’s shown talent,” Chappell continued.
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