SL v ENG 2021: 'Rotation And Rest Is Going To Be An Integral Part of Managing Players In This Next Phase,' Says Joe Root

England’s Test match skipper Joe Root says his team will adopt a method of resting and rotating players to tackle potential burnout playing cricket and staying in bio-bubbles in the following months.

Root understands back to back matches on hectic tours to Sri Lanka and India before entering another edition of IPL will take a lot of physical and mental toll on England players.

Hence, the skipper hinted that his team will remain flexible and serve to the players’ needs amid the pandemic.

Joe Root Opens Up On England Players’ Schedule

“You look at the amount of cricket on this coming tour and it’s unrealistic for everyone to get through the whole thing. Rotation and rest is going to be an integral part of managing this next phase of games,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Root as saying.

“Not only is the mental welfare of the players really important but physically being able to get through, with so many back-to-back games in those conditions, is going to be a big ask,” Joe Root added.

We Are Going To Be Very Flexible: Root

While leaving out multiple first-choice picks at different stages will leave England understrength for some games, Root said it will still offer a great opportunity for those on the fringes.

“We are going to have to be quite flexible and adaptable in terms of selection — which is going to create opportunities for people to stand up and stake a claim at certain times through this winter,” said Joe Root.

“It’s very exciting and another way we can develop as a squad, in terms of strength in depth.”

England players and support staff will be leaving for Sri Lanka on Saturday (January 2) for a scheduled two-match Test series starting January 14.

Upon reaching, the visitors will need to undergo a three-day quarantine. As per the tour’s health regulations, they’ll be allowed to train individually if they give negative tests in those three days and can train as a group after the sixth day.

The England team will also tour India for a series comprising 4 Tests, 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs, beginning February 5.