Joe Root Backs Jonny Bairstow To Be Leading Run-Getter In ICC World Cup 2023

England’s premier batter Joe Root has backed his teammate Jonny Bairstow to be the leading run-getter in the ICC World Cup 2023. He believes that the keeper-batter will have a point to prove in the upcoming tournament.

Jonny Bairstow is one of the best white-ball openers currently in world cricket. The keeper-batter has been among the main reason behind England’s success in the last few years. What has been impressive about him is that he has scored consistently at the top.

Going into the ICC World Cup 2023, Jonny Bairstow will be one of the key players for England as he was in 2019. The opening batter along with Joe Root will be pivotal for the defending champions and it’s fair to say that if they fire, the Jos Buttler-led side will have a great chance to defend their title.

Joe Root highlighted Jonny Bairstow’s consistency over the years as an opener. Hailing him as a wonderful player, he backed Bairstow to do special things. Speaking to ICC, he explained:

“I am going to go for Jonny Bairstow (to be the leading run-scorer). He is someone that always has a point to prove, he is a wonderful white-ball player and he has been so consistent for us at the top of the order.”

Jonny Bairstow didn’t look in great touch in the recently concluded series against New Zealand. The opening batter scored just 19 runs across four games. But considering his experience in Indian conditions, one cannot write him off.

Joe Root also talked about the importance of Adil Rashid for England in the World Cup. He believes that a leg-spinner can trouble opposition batters in Indian conditions. He explained:

“He (Rashid) has so many different skills and variations to call upon. We know how important it is to take wickets in the middle overs…he has done a wonderful job for us for a long time and I anticipate him being very difficult on these wickets.”

We are going to have to play some really good cricket – Joe Root

Joe Root further talked about the importance of adapting to conditions in India. He explained that they need to play good cricket to be successful. He elaborated:

“Having the experience of 2019 and how good that was and how much that meant to the group and for them to go out and get the opportunity to defend it is something we are relishing and really looking forward to.

“We are going to have to play some really good cricket, we are going to have to adapt to different conditions and have that consistency that you need so we will see how we go.”

ICC World Cup 2023 will begin from 5th October. England will play the tournament opener against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.