Joe Root believes England’s one-day team have let down captain Jos Buttler at the World Cup – and insisted that comparisons with Eoin Morgan are ‘unfair’.
England almost certainly need to win their next five group games, starting with Sri Lanka on Thursday, if they are to reach the semi-finals, and have a crack at defending the trophy Morgan lifted at Lord’s four years ago.
And Root has called for patience as England – who have lost three of their first four games in India – seek to build a new one-day legacy under the captaincy of Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott.
‘The way Morgs instilled a completely different culture was a once-in-a-generation bit of thinking, but for Jos to be compared to that is a bit unfair.
‘I think he’s done an incredible job in the time that he’s had, and he will continue to do that. The performances the players have put in are not a fair reflection of his leadership. Over time, you will see that, in English cricket, the depth is there.’
Joe Root (left) believes England’s one-day team have let down captain Jos Buttler (right) at the World Cup
England have lost three of their four games in India as they seek to build a new one-day legacy
Root also used the word ‘unfair’ to describe suggestions that England, who currently hold both the one-day and T20 World Cups, were less hungry than their opponents.
‘There are a few guys in this team that haven’t won any,’ he said. ‘It’s been four years for some other guys, and they’ve not had the chance to play as much white-ball cricket as they might want. And they’re extremely hungry for it.’
Durham fast bowler Brydon Carse is not expected to be in the frame for the Sri Lanka match in Bangalore after being confirmed as a replacement for Reece Topley, who broke his finger during the 229-run defeat by South Africa.
Cricket was in mourning on Monday following the death of Indian left-arm spinner Bishan Bedi at the age of 77. Bedi took 266 wickets in 67 Tests, and captained his country in 22.
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