(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] England batter Joe Root is all set to play first fixture of a three-match home ODI series against Ireland, starting on 20th September in Leeds.
Root is the only player from the squad announced for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to feature in this series versus Ireland. He has replaced Harry Brook for the first game.
This decision comes after Root requested that he wants to play against Ireland so that he can head to India for the World Cup with some runs under his belt. The 32-year-old went through a very poor recently-concluded home ODI series against New Zealand, in which his scored 39 runs in four games.
Regarding Root’s decision to be available for the Ireland series, England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, acknowledged the step taken by his teammate.
“It just shows his hunger to play. He’s someone who, over the last four years because of the schedule probably hasn’t played as much 50-over cricket as he would like,” said Buttler while talking with Sky Sports.
“He’s an experienced guy and he knows what he needs. He’s arguably the best player in our team and he just knows what he needs to get ready. It was very simple for all involved,” he added.
Root has played 162 ODIs for England and scored 6246 runs with an average of 48.79. He has hammered 16 ODI centuries in the format.