There Was A Controlled Aggression Around What We Did At Headingley - Chris Silverwood Hails England's Turnaround After Lord's Loss

England head coach Chris Silverwood was effusive in praise for skipper Joe Root and the entire side for making an emphatic comeback at Headingley after a shocking loss at Lord’s.

The coach acknowledged that they did make mistakes in the second Test, which they were on top at the start of Day 5 but lost control in the first session leading to a discouraging loss. Chris Silverwood and Joe Root, however, regrouped to claim a near-perfect victory in the third Test.

Silverwood talked about England being “aggressive in a very controlled way” at Headingley.

“He (Root) reflected on the Lord’s Test and some of the decisions he made. He does learn as he goes along and that’s a great characteristic for a captain to have: to reflect back honestly and make a difference. And he’s certainly made a difference this game,” Chris Silverwood was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“Joe and I reflected on the Lord’s Test and thought about what we could learn and how we could get better. And I think there was a controlled aggression around what they did [at Headingley]: the way they hit the lengths hard, the way they put the India tail under pressure and forced them to make decisions all the time. I think you can be aggressive in a very controlled way and I think they got that right,” he added.

There’s potential there for Root to be one of the great England captains: Chris Silverwood

Chris Silverwood waxed lyrical over now England’s most successful captain, Joe Root, who has surpassed Michael Vaughan’s tally of 26 Test wins.

The coach, though, added that Root needs to get his hands on The Ashes as well to be counted in the list of the great England captains. England have lost and drawn an Ashes series each under the Yorkshireman; they tour Australia later in the year.

“Seeing him become England’s most successful captain was superb. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a while. He’s in a great place at the moment and I’m really enjoying watching him,” Chris Silverwood said.

“I think he’s a good Test captain. I think he is growing and learning all the time. We saw that last week. I think there’s potential there for him to be one of the great England captains. He’s got the potential to be. If we win in Australia, we can have this conversation again.”

As for the ongoing series is concerned, England have gained a boost in the form of Chris Woakes, who has recovered from a heel injury and has been added to the squad for the fourth Test. However, Jos Buttler will miss the game as he and his wife are expecting their child soon. The fourth Test at the Kia Oval commences on September 2.

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