England skipper Joe Root is confident of scoring a hundred in the Boxing-Day Test in Melbourne starting December 26. Root’s side is 2-0 down are need to win this Test match to keep the series alive. The team management along with the skipper was criticised for making wrong selections for the first two Test matches.
Speaking to The Guardian, Joe Root said that he is confident of scoring a hundred in Melbourne. That will be his first Test ton on Australian soil as well. Root has already scored over 1600 runs this year with six tons and three fifty-plus scores at an average of 62.69.
“I’m confident I can bang out a hundred in these conditions. Feel in a really good place with my batting. I know that’s a brave thing to say but that conversion rate, this year, it’s not been an issue at all. I just need to put myself in those positions, have the bit between my teeth, [and think]: ‘Over my dead body.”
A brave fight on the final day but Australia win the second Test to take a 2-0 series lead.
Scorecard: https://t.co/h01YZOpP82#Ashes | 🇦🇺 #AUSvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/U9VH9Z1MLS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 20, 2021
89 in the first Test at The Gabba remains his highest score on Australian soil in the red-ball game. Root admits he has to show some grit to get to the milestone.
He further said that he is looking forward to a tough game this week and expecting his boys to come out with a positive response. Root’s captaincy is under the cloud after the losses in the first two Test matches with former England captains bashing him.
Expecting A Response From Players This Week: Joe Root
“I expect a response from everyone this week. There’s no motivation needed, really. Just the state of the series, what’s at stake and what we need to do, quite simply. I would like to bring a nice Christmas present home for everyone who stays up. We are doing everything we can to make sure it is 2-1 by the time we leave here.”
England now have lost 11 Test matches on the trot on Australian soil after their recent loss at Adelaide.
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