Joe Root : The new Alistair Cook ? Or is it too early to call?

For someone as experienced as Jimmy Anderson to say something like that is a testament to Joe Root’s batting. At the very tender age of 22, he has already signaled his arrival in style, conquering quality bowlers when his more illustrious colleagues haven’t been able to.

I began this article with the idea of comparing Joe Root with his English captain, Alistair Cook, and I happened to find this interesting interview where former England legend Graham Gooch praised Root’s ability, while drawing comparisons with Cook.

He said: “Alistair had a similar approach to the game, he was very focused in the mind and knew exactly how to accumulate runs, and anyone who saw Joe in the winter could say the same things about him too”.

Looking at Joe Root’s rise to the English ranks at such an age, it’s only fair that we praise his coaches, firstly for finding a talent like him and secondly, helping and guiding him, thus making him the batsman he is today.

Many say he is the epitome of a modern batsman: old head on very young shoulders and also possessing the ability to invent shots, shots that fetch him runs, and runs which fetch his team wins. Ever since he made his debut against India, he has gone from strength to strength. His talent is obvious, and when he made that magnificent hundred against the Aussies in the previous match, that talent has become more apparent.

Talent needs no introduction when we speak of Joe Root. His ability to mix timing and precision, power and delicate touches makes him a special player. Being able to couple such extreme traits at such a young age makes you a ‘special one’. His technique and determination makes you think this guy is at least a few hundred matches old. While you go on thinking about that, he will slowly notch up another technically sound innings. Makes you wonder how this man is only 22 years old doesn’t it?

Former captains attribute this success to the academy in place. The English system strives on the ability of their scouts to pick up emerging talent and help it becoming better, with the Test arena as the focal point.

Bringing up a batsman with the longest format in mind not only helps the youngsters’ progression into the national team, but also readies them for the rigors of touring, press interviews, long hours at the crease and many days on the field.

The great thing about the academy system is that the players in the junior leagues meet the seniors constantly and have chats with them about the game, their techniques and how to improve on them.

Ian Bell also showered his praise on Joe Root. He said that Root was a consistent performer on the Lions tour (the domestic version of the longer format). He said Root is also very vocal when it comes to the dressing room, constantly chatting with the seniors, especially Cook, Trott and Bell.

He also talks to Anderson and Swann about playing pace and spin bowling, about playing in different conditions and improving his game. He is constantly involved with the team, and his nature makes it easy for him to play according to the needs of the team, and help him settle down in these new and alien conditions. Not that this new found exposure is making it hard for him; he has shown that adaptability is a key feature of his demeanor.

His technique too has come a long way. Most prolific batsmen say that when it comes to the international arena, a predominantly back-footed player can become very successful.

The other important fact is that unless a player is adept at playing on the front foot, he could end up with a very premature career, because the deliveries that usually get batsmen out are balls that come inward, inducing the LBW or ones that swing away, inducing the edge. Root, however, is showing encouraging signs, playing confidently on both the front and back foot.

It is that confidence that ultimately impresses his older colleagues. The manner in which Root smiles as he goes about his work is admirable, like a man who knows both audacity and humility. This seems to be a trait he shares with his captain.

“He seems to thrive on it (sledging and pressure)”. Especially when he was getting sledged and you see him smiling back.” That, as James Anderson suggests, is what really sets Root apart.

“From a bowler’s point of view that’s the worst reaction you can get,” Anderson says of the toothy grin which shows that the young man is entirely unaffected by the aggressive attentions of his opponents.

The common trait he shares with his captain is that of calmness. Run rate is one thing that never bothers this lad, both him and Cook never seem nervous whilst the pressure accumulates. Cook was a similar man in his younger days, an almost carbon copy if you must.

Cook has only gotten better with time, and the same is expected of Root. To share this trait at such a young age is brilliant, for both him and England. If he performs the way he has been performing, there is no reason to believe why he could be dropped from the side.