Batting coach's critical words helped me get the double ton: Joe Root

Joe Root was the star of England’s series leveling victory over Pakistan at Old Trafford. He scored a double ton, the second of his Test career and also registered his best Test score of 254. The huge total that England posted in the first inning, coupled with the quick-fire half century in the second innings by Root and skipper Alastair Cook gave England enough runs and overs to attack the Pakistan team. The 330-run win that they secured was one of the biggest for the team.

Opposition skipper Misbah-ul-Haq admitted that it was Root’s knock that was the difference between the two teams. What was the inspiration behind the knock? The English batting star revealed that it was batting coach, Mark Ramprakash’s comments that questioned his mindset for Test cricket played a key role in him hitting the double-ton.

“But, of course, I thought about it and really homed in on practice and how I wanted to approach the rest of the series”, Root said.

“It was a good motivator to get me in the right place. Ramps said it must be my mental approach to things because my game looked in good order and I was playing well in the nets.”

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Root admitted that having played limited overs cricket he wasn’t quite able to get the correct frame of mind required to do well in Test cricket and Ramprakash helped him get there.

“It was exactly what I needed to hear. That’s why he is such a good batting coach.”

Both England and Pakistan are preparing for the third Test at Edgbaston where they will have the best chance of taking a lead in the series and strengthening their position to win the four-match series. Root’s return to form is a huge news for the English team while Pakistan will hope they find a surface where their fast bowlers can dominate the proceedings.

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