Root ready to put new philosophy against New Zealand

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London (18th Nov, 2019): England’s two-match series in New Zealand is not part of the World Test Championship but will be no less significant for the tourists.

They prepare to showcase a more patient brand of cricket under their new coach in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.

With Australia retaining the Ashes earlier this year, England, under new coach Chris Silverwood, have embarked on a two-year project to reclaim the urn in 2020-21. Jettisoning the aggressive style championed by his predecessor Trevor Bayliss, Silverwood has advocated a more conservative approach to Test cricket, with skipper Joe Root emphasizing the importance of patience ahead of the series.

“We have to try to bat longer. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get a good score on any given wicket,” said Root. “It would be nice to get used to batting for 120 overs more regularly, especially in the first innings. And it doesn’t just apply to our batting. It’s with the ball as well. We have to be prepared to go at two an over and build pressure in different ways.”

England are also leaning more toward youth, packing seven under-25 players in their 15-man squad. Four of them — Ollie Pope, Sam Curran, Dominic Sibley and Jofra Archer — could see action in Mount Maunganui this week.

Root will be back at his preferred number four against New Zealand, ahead of Ben Stokes, while Dom Sibley will partner Rory Burns at the top, but England’s bowling unit looks less intimidating in the absence of James Anderson and Mark Wood. Archer, playing his first overseas Test series, might have to shoulder the extra burden.

Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for more updates.

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