Had five of the first team dropped out at the last minute, I would have played against a young upstart from the Yorkshire Academy by the name of Joe Root. His off-spin caused my clubmates more trouble that day than his batting; our leg-spinner had him caught behind by a wicket-keeper who couldn't catch a cold.
You could tell there was something special about him. The same
could be said when Root scored his first century for Yorkshire at Scarborough against
Sussex.
A quiet confidence that suggested greater things. It was
inevitable that Root would play for England, and the only debate was where he
would rank along with the best. International rivals have burst through the stratosphere
such as Kane Williamson and Virat Kholi, but don't bet against Root catching
them up.
His Test average is still very good, but the expectation of
turning a bucket load of fifties into big tons is as crushing as it is willed.
The way that his bowlers and Sri Lanka's batsman turned the
first Test clearly in England's favour took the pressure off Root who was able
to ease his way into the series. Batting alongside Yorkshire teammate Jonny
Bairstow on the first evening must have been pleasing for him.
To bring along a debutant to an assured debut knock of 73 for
Dan Lawrence would be rewarding. But leading from the front with an unbeaten
168 not out with room to add was not just pleasing to himself but everyone in
the England dressing room.
England goes into day three 185 runs ahead, and Root will
resume with Jos Buttler. The aim to put England out of sight. Sri Lanka cannot (you
would imagine) bat as poorly second time around and England will be wary of
being set a small but tricky target on a well-worn pitch.
India keep Australia guessing
A Marcus Labuschange century should have been enough to put
Australia out in front of a battle-weary India. But India keeps on chipping
away at an Australia side whose batting has never found more than one or two
batsmen willing to stand up and ensure that Australia secures the series.
India's bizarre collapse in the first Test to subside to 36
all out may not have been the only time Australia looked on top, but it was the
only time they made India pay.
They battered and bruised India, they sledged to an inch of
the line, or just over. India shorn of their big-name big-time players still
came back for more. Even if Australia win this Test, then India will come out
of it with a lot of credit.
The upcoming series between England and India looks set to
be an intriguing one.
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