The batsman’s 79 not-out helped England cruise to victory over New Zealand in the second ODI.
Twenty-two-year-old Joe Root scored career-best figures of 79 not-out, as he and Jonathan Trott led England to victory against New Zealand.
The ODI series is now levelled at 1-1, thanks largely to Root’s confident batting performance.It seems there is a new star in the making, in a golden age for English cricket.
After progressing from their youth programme, Sheffield-born Root made his first-class début for Yorkshire in 2010 against Loughborough MCCU. He opened the batting in that match, but only went on to make 14 runs.
However, in his proceeding games for his county over the next couple of seasons, he impressed enough to earn his first England call-up. In December 2012, Root played his one and only Test to date, against India in Nagpur.
From number six, Root notched up 73 runs in his first innings – the best total from anyone in the England team – before batting the second innings out with Ian Bell, finishing 20 not-out. It was a mature start from the young batsman and he impressed enough to play a main role in the ODI series in India.
It is now as a one-day international player that Root has the most experience. His 79 not-out this morning was his sixth innings in the 50-over format. He has racked up 298 runs in that time, with the staggering average of 74.50.
With the final ODI against New Zealand coming up on Saturday, this could be the time for Joe Root to really establish himself as an England star.
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