Former English cricketer Mark Butcher has theorized that Joe Root’s poor show with the bat in the ongoing series tour of India could be down to his increased responsibilities with the ball.
Joe Root has been arguably, England’s best batter since the retirement of Sir Alastair Cook. He has racked up over 11,000 Test runs, averaging just under 50 with 138 matches under his belt. However, in the current tour, he has had a dismal show with the bat, failing to notch up a single fifty-plus score in the series so far. He averages a lowly 12.83 in the three matches so far.
Numbers suggest otherwise. Mark Butcher has theorized that the bowling workload on Root that could be the reason for his poor show with the bat. Despite being brought in as a specialist batter, he has already bowled 100+ overs in the series. This is the most he has bowled in a series.
Butcher was quoted by Wisden saying,” I think that having him having to do so much work as a frontline spin bowler is not likely to yield the sort of results that you’d expect from him with the bat.”
Under the Bazball regime, Joe Root has been England’s best batter. In the 21 matches he has played, he has scored 1604 runs at an average of 50.12. The point of criticism on the 33-year-old was his shot selection. Notably, he was caught at slips, trying to play a reverse-lap shot to Jasprit Bumrah which started the conversation on whether the newfound aggressive brand of play under Ben Stokes’ captaincy might be affecting Root’s batting ability.
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Butcher also highlighted a key point that made India the favourites before the game even started. The inexperience when it comes to a spin attack, coupled with having to bowl first are the key issues he pointed out.
‘Given the tosses coming down when you’re bowling first and third rather than second fourth, you need a bit more than guys who are just either making their way in the game or guys who are, as Joe Root is, part-time spin bowlers to hold the fort for you. It’s such a fundamental reason why India was favourites before it started,” said Butcher.
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England’s frontline spinner, Jack Leach had been part of the first Test against India at Hyderabad, which the touring side had managed to win. However, he was ruled out for the remainder of the series after picking up a knee injury.
The touring side will look to secure the win in the upcoming Test at Ranchi and keep the series alive as they hope to bring an end to India’s longstanding dominance at home by taking the series victory and breaking India’s undefeated Test series record at home since 2012.
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