Joe Root admitted his England team have a point to prove in the Caribbean and reiterated his own belief at being the right man to lead in a Test series that could decide his fate as captain.
Speaking before Tuesday’s first Test against West Indies in Antigua – a match in which Durham’s Alex Lees will make his debut at opener and Jack Leach is likely to get the nod on a bare pitch – Root attempted to outline his vision of England’s so called “reset”.
Despite one win in 14 and a horror Ashes series, the 31-year-old was backed to lead this tour when Andrew Strauss took over as the interim director of cricket. But with a new management team set to be appointed, his continuation beyond is not guaranteed and positive results are urgently required.
“It’s an opportunity for all of us to prove a point,” said Root. “Hopefully this can be a real start in changing our performances; to start getting back to where we need to be, which is one of the leading teams in Test cricket.
“I think I’m the right man for the role, the right man to take this team forward. And as long as that is the case, I’ll be fully committed to the role.” Root sidestepped the inevitable questions about the absence of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, preferring to focus on “the opportunity” for others. This means Chris Woakes and Craig Overton are likely to share the new ball with Ollie Robinson unfit, alongside Mark Wood’s pace and the spin of Leach.
Key to this is how much Ben Stokes can bowl on his comeback from a side strain, with Root optimistic a limited number of overs are possible.
Stokes has also recently shouldered arms to the Indian Premier League to focus on Test cricket, having admitted he felt he let down the team in Australia.
“I’m pretty chuffed about it,” said Root, regarding this commitment from his vice-captain. “It shows how much he cares about Test cricket and how much he cares about this team and helping us get back to where we desire to be.
“I think he is probably being slightly harsh on himself [about his Ashes performance]. But I think managing the expectations for himself, especially with where his body is currently at, is going to be really important.
“We all expect Superman on the field. Coming back from an injury, he might not necessarily be able to do some of the things he’s done previously. So we’re going to have to be smart, how we manage him.” Root had encouraging words for Lees, his one-time opening partner at Yorkshire whose runs since a move to Durham in 2018 – and the decision to axe Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed after the Ashes – have made him the latest to attempt England’s most unsettled position.
Ben Foakes returns behind the stumps after Jos Buttler lost his place in a reversion to picking the best gloveman. But Root stressed that the 29-year-old’s batting – good enough to register a century on his debut in Sri Lanka three years ago – should not be underestimated.
England have never won in Antigua and Root’s opposite number, Kraigg Brathwaite, spoke with a quiet confidence on the eve of the series that is expected to see both teams take a knee for Black Lives Matter before the start of play.
Brathwaite said: “This series is always different to every other series we have. We always look forward to it, especially at home. They have some quality cricketers still, so when we do well, you know it’s still a good feeling. To play Test cricket, there is always pressure involved. But as a team, we’re ready.”
