Nasser Hussain, former England skipper was of the opinion that England lost the recently concluded ODI series against India, as they missed Joe Root’s composure at the vital no. 3 position.
Joe Root was rested for the India ODI series, with the board keeping an eye on the Ashes schedule later this year. Ben Stokes batted at no. 3 in Joe Root’s absence but failed to match his compatriot’s consistency with the willow.
Nasser Hussain Missed Joe Root Who Is Only One Man To Bat At No.3 In England’s 50 Over Side
Nasser Hussain, in his column for the Daily Mail, praised all-rounder Ben Stokes’ belligerent 99 in the second ODI which was vital in England’s win. But he also observed how England missed talismanic batsman Joe Root when the openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow perished early.
“They (Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow) were fantastic in the first two games, and when they play well, everything else usually falls into place. But when they go cheaply, as they did on Sunday, England are without the glue provided by Joe Root. However well Ben Stokes did in the second match, there is only one man to bat at three in the 50-over side. They have missed Root in this series.”
Joe Root is an integral part of England’s ODI set-up, acting as the anchor laying the foundation at no. 3. The Englishman averages 50.1 for England and has 16 ODI centuries to his name. Ahead of the ODI series, regular skipper Eoin Morgan who injured himself and was ruled out for the last 2 ODIs admitted Joe Root’s absence would leave a massive hole in the side, words that turned out to be prophetic.
Ben Stokes stepped up and batted at an unfamiliar no. 3 slots in all three games. While he failed to fire in the first match, his aggressive 52-ball-99 was the catalyst for England’s win in the second. He perished for 35 in the series decider, though, failing to score big after getting set in the middle.
Explaining why Joe Root is crucial in England’s ODI setup, ex-captain and commentator Nasser Hussain stressed the importance of having a calm head at no. 3.
“Morgan may have said ‘this is the way we play’ after England went down all guns blazing in the first match, but Root is a massive part of the way they play in ODIs because he allows everyone else to be expansive,” said Nasser Hussain.
Joe Root is a veteran of 149 ODIs and averages above 50. Against India, he averages 56 having amassed 728 runs in 18 matches with as many as 3 tons.
Nasser Hussain: England’s Death Bowling Was Also Concerning With Jofra Archer And Chris Woakes Absence
The hosts India managed to score 112/1 and 126/3 in the final ten overs in the first two games as England bowlers were taken to the cleaners. Although England recovered well to put up a good show in the final ODI, Nasser Hussain feels the visitors were naive during the death overs.
He said in this regard:“England have certainly missed Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes, even though their death bowling was better on Sunday. In their absence, a lot of that death bowling, particularly in the second game, was naive.”
The former captain also pointed out how England isn’t any closer to finding a backup for spinner Adil Rashid. The leg-spinner was impressive during the middle overs against India, providing England with vital breakthroughs. Nasser Hussain rued the fact that leg-spinner Matt Parkinson did not get a look-in during the three ODI games.
“The only concern is they are no nearer to finding a replacement should Rashid get injured because conditions dictated Matt Parkinson never got a chance in these matches.”
Adil Rashid has played 109 ODIs since 2009 and been a constant member of the team since 2015. He has taken 158 ODI scalps. He has played 57 T20Is taking 55 wickets averaging 26.62. Matt Parkinson has played 2 ODIs and as many T20Is.
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