Joe Root Supports The Idea Of Four-Day Tests

The most ancient form of cricket has undergone a plethora of changes since its inception, and a significant change came along in the last decade. The previous decade witnessed the first day and night Test being played with almost all the teams giving it a crack. In recent times, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is pondering to introduce four-day Test matches, and English Test captain Joe Root supports the idea.

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The apex body of cricket is heavily exploring the idea of four-day Tests to the extent of making it a part of the 2023 ICC World Test Championship. While there have been mixed opinions from other stalwarts of the game, Joe Root opines that reducing one day from the conventional Test matches is indeed worth a trial.

The 29-year old further said that he is a fan of five-day red-ball cricket and termed the longest format as the best in the game, but it is good to explore unchartered territory. At the same time, he conceded that the new form would be best to play against teams that struggle to draw their fans in the ground.

“I think there’s a place for it in the game. I do. We’ve obviously played one against Ireland – not sure that pitch would have been fit for a three-day game, but I think it is worth trialling. I love playing five days of cricket. Personally, I think it’s the best format. An extra day really does make the best teams in the game 99 percent of the time.

It might not always make sense for England to play it, especially if it’s against Australia or some of the bigger sides, but it might draw a bit more interest to some of the sides that struggle to get people in the ground. If you don’t try it, you don’t know.” Joe Root said in a Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

Joe Root lauds the likes of Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, and Kane Williamson:

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The Yorkshire batsman hailed his rival batsmen in world cricket – Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, and Kane Williamson by pointing out the respective skill sets that make them the best in the current era. Root mentioned how Smith soared above the tricky periods in the Ashes 2019, especially neutralizing Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer.

Speaking of the Indian captain Virat Kohli, he stated the range of shots that he has in his repertoire that enables him to play freely and hit it in any part of the ground. Root admired Williamson’s technique, which he believes is very assured that allows him to play the ball very late.

“I’m never going to have a cover drive like Steve Smith, but I’d love to have this mentality of how he sees the game in different pockets of play, like how he nullified Broady for a very tricky period of time at Old Trafford, and how he looked to change his game against Jofra having taken that blow [at Lord’s].

He manages his game and the situation very well, and I think that’s why he’s so successful, whereas Virat has just got a range of shots which allows him to play so freely off so many different deliveries and can hit the same ball in two completely different places. Kane’s technique is very, very sured-up, and he plays the ball extremely late.” Root added.

The Englishmen are presently on their tour to South Africa, where they are trailing the four-Test series by 1-0. The second Test begins in Cape Town from the 3rd of January, where the tourists would look to bounce back.

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