Joe Root, the captain of the England cricket team, has admitted that his boys have a ‘point to prove’ as England looks to level the two-Test series.
Cricket news: We have got good preparation and we are ready to prove our point, says Joe Root
England might miss their best all-rounder Ben Stokes as he had suffered a tight hamstring while undertaking a fielding practice at Headingley on Wednesday.
The medical team will assess the extent of the injury and Stokes will have to undergo a scan and a fitness test to decide whether he can join his team to play the series finale at Yorkshire’s headquarters starting on Friday.
Sam Curran, who is an uncapped teenager seamer from Surrey, has been called as a cover for the injured fellow paceman Stokes.
“Of course if Ben’s fit we want him in the side, he’s one of our best players, he brings a lot to the table and offers so much to this team,” Root told Sky Sports on Thursday.
England had lost the first Test by nine wickets and Pakistan were able to wrap up the game in just four days. However believes that the team has come back from the defeat and have started earlier for the practise which would be beneficial at Leeds.
“I think it helps us getting straight back into it, not having too much time to think about things,” Root said ahead of a match at his Yorkshire home ground.
“It was very clear where we needed to improve from last week,” added the batsman, whose England side have lost six of their last eight Test matches.
“We’ve had some good preparation, the guys have really worked hard and now it’s just doing it, going out and proving a point, putting a really strong performance in as a group and showing some pride in the badge.”
Keaton Jennings of Lancashire has been called to replace Mark Stoneman, who has dropped from the side. Jennings will now partner Alastair Cook in the opening slot.
“He will be desperate to take his opportunity,” said Root of Jennings.
“Every player in this side wants to make an impact this week. Every time we play a Test match there are all sorts of different pressures that come with it and for Keaton it’s a great opportunity.
“I hope he looks at it that way and goes out and expresses himself in his own way.”
Root has been recently criticised many times for his inability to convert fifties to three figures, but the England captain is very much happy and is feeling good about his game.
“When you are winning and performing well you have to keep churning out those performances and when you’re on the other side of it you’ve got to make sure you turn it round,” Root said.
“As always I’ve gone into practice, felt if there were any areas I wanted to work on and got them done so I can go in full of confidence tomorrow and know I’ve given myself the best chance.
“It’s nice to have that feeling going into any game.”