Joe Root: It's been difficult to get continuity due to Covid-19
Updated On: 11 August, 2021 09:21 AM IST | London | PTI
England were skittled out for 183 in their first innings to concede a 95-run lead to India. Root then scored a second-innings hundred as the hosts managed 303 to set India a tricky target
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England skipper Joe Root. Pic/AP, PTI
England skipper Joe Root on Tuesday said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the continuity of the team but no one can question its work ethics, backing his under-fire players ahead of the second Test against India. England were skittled out for 183 in their first innings to concede a 95-run lead to India. Root then scored a second-innings hundred as the hosts managed 303 to set India a tricky target. The match, however, ended in a draw after rain washed out the final day. Following the batting unit`s poor show, England came under sharp criticism with former captain Geoffrey Boycott slamming the batsmen for showing lack of patience and technique.
"You see the guys put in the work time and time again. One thing you can never question about anyone in this team is their work ethic. I think everyone throws everything into their practice and does everything they can to make themselves better," Root said during the virtual press conference. "COVID has had quite an effect on our consistency in backing up teams, whether that be workload through having to rotate players or through the conditions, it`s been a difficult thing to get continuity in that respect." Boycott had blamed the temptation of poking at the ball on too much focus on one-day cricket. "In Test cricket, it`s a fine margin, it`s a fine balance. Of course, you need a strong technique to be able to trust your defence, but you also need to be able to apply pressure on occasions," Root said. The skipper said rotating strike would be the key to success for his underfire batsmen.
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