We Know We Are Capable Of Performances Like This; We Took Our Opportunities Ruthlessly - Joe Root 

Joe Root lauded his team, especially his pacers, after England registered an emphatic victory over India in Headingley on Saturday. The English bowlers nipped out the remaining eight Indian wickets in the first session on Day 4 after the visitors had fought back with the bat on Day 3.

Ollie Robinson bagged his second five-wicket haul of the series and was rewarded with the Man of the Match award.

India were behind the ball since the first day after having been bowled out for 78. Joe Root hit his third century of the series to help his side to 432. But for the skipper, the pleasing aspect of England’s dominance in the game were the fifties from each of the top three batsmen.

“It was a fantastic and clinical performance from the bowlers. The two big lads put loads of pressure with three maidens, and we had a really good opportunity to take wickets and we took them ruthlessly. We know we are capable of performances like this, and we have the talent, that opening stand was fantastic too. We controlled and hung in with the new ball, and we reaped the rewards,” Joe Root said in the post-match presentation.

“As a batter you are expected to go out and score everytime and I am happy I’ve managed to score a few. It’s been a while since I got a hundred in my home ground and I hope we can carry this form forward as a team into the Oval,” the local boy added.

James Anderson is the GOAT of Test cricket; Robinson has been brilliant: Joe Root

Joe Root was effusive in praise for the players who contributed significantly in England’s victory – James Anderson, who he says is the ‘GOAT’ of Test cricket, Robinson, Dawid Malan, openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed.

“Anderson churns out performances like that and that’s why he’s the GOAT of Test cricket,” Root said. “He’s very fit and sets an example for the other bowlers. Dawid played beautifully and started a bit cautiously, but once he got going, he was fluent like he’d been playing the last few years, so the international experience came to the fore.

“Robinson has been brilliant, and he’s asked good questions of their defence. He’s managed to move the ball throughout the innings, not just with the new ball.”

The skipper threw his weight behind Sam Curran, who has been lacklustre in the series so far. He also denied giving any statement about the availability of Jos Buttler for the next two games, as the wicketkeeper and his wife are expecting their child next month.

“Sam is a talented player, and he may not be at his absolute best, but he will do special things for England. He showed last time we played India that he could play wonderful knocks, take key wickets, so I’m not worried about him at all. He has a lot of character and he will get better sooner rather than later. Buttler’s availability will be known in the next few days (paternity leave),” the English skipper concluded. 

Both the teams travel back to London for the fourth Test at Kennington Oval, starting September 2nd.

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