In a recent response to the media, former English captain Nasser Hussain made a case for Joe Root’s inclusion in the ODI squad. He also called for a clarification on Root and Ben Stokes with regard to their respective roles in the 50-over format for England. The side recently participated within the five-match ODI-limit series against Australia and lost three games to two. Injured Jos Buttler stayed back as Harry Brook captained in the recovery phase where England came from two losses to two wins before the fifth and last ODI match. Furthermore, Root has not been considered for England’s ODI squad since the quarterfinal stage of the ODI World Cup 2023. It is possible that England opted against including him this time considering the long but successful summer in England.
“Buttler comes back, Stokes himself has said — if asked — he will come back, and then there is Root. They are great white-ball players. They are entitled to an answer — both of them, Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Does it concern us if they want to come back? That is the fundamental question McCullum and Buttler have to answer,” said Hussain who was speaking to Sky Sports.
Hussain was in doubt on the chances of Stokes coming into the ODI team again after his self-imposed restriction to play in Indian ODI World Cup 2023. He reasoned about the almost impossible load management as Stokes was also the Test team captain of England and featured in matches as an all-rounder following his injury.
“Stokes, I am a bit worried about workload – and now he is a complete all-rounder if he comes back. He is Test match captain and all-rounder which is so important. In fact, you want to use him in as many Test matches as possible”.
“Joe Root, when that collapse was happening. I do not think because he wasn’t on the field. He was definitely, I am sure one of those who would have been like, “Oh it is spinning now. We used to hit it straight back. Now we are going to have sweeps and reverse sweeps. Let’s tone it down a notch and target 350 instead of 400.” He would have played mind games. He is a very able man against spin.”
Hussain thought that Root’s methodology would have been useful in the fifth ODI against Australia at Bristol, where the English batsmen had difficulty in the middle. He pointed out the importance of Root’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will likely be played on spin friendly tracks in the subcontinent, mostly Pakistan.
“Pakistan will be hosting the Champions trophy and builging conditions are favouring spin, Root is indispensable. I would have most certainly welcomed Root back into the team. After getting those decisions out of the way, the chances are that then it will be looking to plug the holes.’”
