Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne made a statement while showing complete belief in England’s long format skipper Joe Root, as the latter stated newly appointed captain will add value to the team while showing his aggression on the field as a leader of the unit.
“I hope Joe Root will be a little bit more aggressive and try and win games, rather than make sure they don’t lose them,” the Victoria-born Warne was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
The 47-year-old veteran slow bowler Warne feels Root can change the complexion of the game while expecting the attacking approach as a skipper will help out England’s Test cricket in the foreseeable future.
“I hope (it’s) like the way he bats. He’s aggressive, and takes the game on – he likes to be positive all of the time – so I hope that rubs off in his captaincy,” Warne said.
Warne further believes instilling the attacking intent will help Root, who has been doing will with the bat on his national duty.
Interestingly, England’s new Test skipper Joe Root will lead its side on July 6 against South Africa for the first time in the four-match series after its board appointed him as team’s chief.
While rating Root above Cook, Warne feels new captain has the ability to yield desired results for England after becoming the successor of Alastair Cook.
“I think he has a bit more flair than Alastair Cook. Alastair Cook had a lot of strengths … (but) I think (Root) will be a lot different tactically,” Warne asserted.
It becomes interesting here that Warne has criticised Cook for his batting when he failed to be among the runs before admitting he has delivered for the team as a leader and a player in past.
“I think Alastair Cook got better – no one is their best version of themselves as captain when they start. I was very critical of Alastair Cook at the start because he wasn’t making a run either, and I didn’t think he captained the side that well. But that was three or four years ago,” Warne recounted.
Warne has also praised Yorkshire-born Root for his batting ability across all formats while stating he has been anchoring the innings in the middle for England.
Warne, who bagged 708 wickets in 145 Tests, has expressed his desire to watch the 26-year-old Root leading the team while wishing England team management to give him a leeway before going into the traditional Ashes series which will kick off in the last month of this year.
“I think it will bring the best out in him, he will enjoy it. I’m excited to see the way he (does it),” Warne concluded.
After making his debut in 2012 against India, Root has played 53 Tests in which he has scored 4594 runs at an average of 52.80 which included 11 hundred and 27 fifties.