Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum don't matter to Joe Root claims Michael Atherton

Former England captain Michael Atherton has claimed that Joe Root’s aggressive style of play is not due to skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum’s instructions. Michael Atherton highlighted that Joe Root willingly adopted the baseball approach in Tests.

Joe Root was criticized before the start of the fourth Test as he had failed to score a half-century in the first three matches. The batter was dismissed while attempting a reverse sweep off Jasprit Bumrah in the last test. His dismissal led to a batting collapse in the first innings.

However, the 33-year-old batter scored a magnificent century on Day 1 of the 4th Test against India in Ranchi. He rescued the team from a challenging situation of 112/5. He added a crucial partnership with lower-order batters to help the team reach a total of 353 runs.

Joe Root remained unbeaten on 122 runs from 274 deliveries, featuring 10 boundaries. Unlike England’s usual aggressive approach, Root opted for a more measured style, showcasing his technical prowess with minimal risks or extravagant shots during his innings.

Brendon McCullum And Ben Stokes Are Not Prescriptive – Michael Atherton

Michael Atherton has dismissed the notion that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum dictated Joe Root’s aggressive style. Atherton claimed that the evolution in Root’s approach stemmed from his own desire to adapt to a new era of cricket rather than external pressure.

“There is a misconception that Root has been playing the extrovert of late under instruction, but that is not the case. Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are not prescriptive and the expansion of Root’s game has been self-driven, prompted by a desire to buy into a new era out of loyalty to Stokes as well as a desire not to miss out on the fun. But he is smart enough to know when a recalibration is needed; he knew that in Wellington and he knew it here,” Atherton wrote in his column for The Times UK.

Joe Root Responded To The Situation – Michael Atherton

Atherton said that Root displayed exceptional judgment against spinners while adapting to the conditions with inconsistent bounce. The former England skipper stated that Root exerted control over his innings through calculated decision-making.

“So, as they might say in Yorkshire, there was nowt flashy to report. No scoops, reverse-scoops or reverse-sweeps, and very few horizontal bat shots, on a low-bounce pitch. Instead, his bat arrived to the ball is if on a plumb line, and his judgment of length to the spinners was impeccable. He responded to the situation rather than trying to force it — but controlled it, nonetheless,” he added.

Joe Root scored his 31st Test hundred during England’s first innings in Ranchi. He also completed his 10th century against India in red-ball cricket. He added just 16 runs to his overnight score before the visiting team lost three wickets in the first session.

James Anderson provided an early breakthrough for India by dismissing Rohit Sharma for just two runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill played without losing any further wickets before the lunch break. India ended the first session with 34 runs in 10 overs.

Also read: Joe Root breaks Alastair Cook’s record for most 50+ scores for England in Test cricket history