ENG vs NZ: Joe Root Sends "Don't Panic" Message To England After Crushing Defeat In WC 2023 Opener vs New Zealand

England National Cricket Team star batsman Joe Root has warned his team against panic following the crushing loss to the New Zealand National Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, October 5.

England were invited to bat first in the match and they posted 282/9 on the board with all players reaching double figures, but only one – Joe Root – smashing a half-century.

Defending the target, Sam Curran got the opening wicket for England and that was it in terms of wickets for the defending champions as following the dismissal of Will Young, Rachin Ravindra joined Devon Conway in the middle and together they played sensational knocks to steer New Zealand to a 9-wicket victory.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the loss, Root said that it was a frustrating day for them, but warned his side against panic after the defeat in the tournament opener. He also said that they underperformed with the ball. Joe Root elaborated:

“It was a frustrating day but it’s really important to remember, there’s so much cricket in this tournament and it’s really important we don’t panic,” he said. “If anything we just reaffirm what we’re about as a team and make sure we almost go more that way in the next game.”

“It’s always a cagey affair the first game of a tournament like this. We got ourselves into the game, got ourselves a score on the board. We knew that it was lower than what we probably wanted to be, and it could get dewy towards the back end tonight and it could skid on nicer, which it did. Credit to them, they played well. We underperformed with the ball, that’s why the gulf was so big in the end. We’re a better side with the bat, we know we are, and we’ve got plenty more opportunities in this tournament to prove that.”

I don’t think it’s ever a difficult conversation – Joe Root

Joe Root was questioned during the same interaction whether it was the time for “difficult conversations” in the dressing room, to which he replied that there is never a difficult conversation in the England dressing room because all the players play with the same goal in their minds. Joe Root said:

“I don’t think it’s ever a difficult conversation, if you’ve got good group who all trust each other and know what we’re about, we’re going towards something and have been for a while, then it becomes quite an easy conversation. It’s honest, not something we need to spend a huge amount of time talking about, because it’s pretty obvious where we’ve gone wrong.

“It’s about how can we make sure we don’t find ourselves in this situation again. What can we do to enable us to go that bit harder and right a few of the little mistakes that we made through this game. It’s important that we keep going, keep getting better, and if anything you want to keep constantly improving as a team as the tournament goes on, so that towards the back end when it really counts you’re in a really good space as a group and peaking at the right time.”

Joe Root admitted that they can’t lose too many games in the World Cup and they need to be calm heading further into the competition. Joe Root said:

“That being said, you can’t afford to lose too many games, but when have you ever seen a World Cup-winning campaign when there isn’t a little wobble or stumbling block. So, just stay calm, remember what we’re about as a group, and reinforce that for the next game.

Joe Root played some beautiful strokes in his innings and was the top run-getter for his side as he amassed 77 runs off 86 balls, with 4 fours and 1 six. While talking about his performance, Joe Root said that he was disappointed with his performance in the last four matches, but was happy with his batting in the World Cup opener. Joe Root said:

“It was warm, bit different to Sheffield. I enjoy playing in these conditions. It wasn’t as straightforward as you might want it to be, it wasn’t really true and coming on, there was a little bit of turn that made it hard to put your foot down in certain moments and really force those partnerships and make them substantial ones. 

“Last four games I’ve not hit my straps like I’d like to, you want to perform in a tournament like this. You want to be part of big scores that set games up, and contributing. It’s a bit hollow when you don’t win but it’s a step in the right direction from a personal point of view.”