England’s Test captain Joe Root believes the appointment of ICC Hall of Famer Kevin Pietersen as a specialist mentor in the white-ball sides brings valuable experience to the dressing room.
Root, who shared a dressing room with Pietersen during his formative years in the England setup, shared how much influence the latter had on his own batting.
“I am probably the last player to have played with him still going,” Root told the reporters ahead of the third Test against Pakistan.
I really enjoyed him as a senior player
“I really enjoyed him as a senior player coming into the team. He was someone that I would be shadowing all the time.
“That first Tour of India (2012/13) in particular, I tried to buddy up with him in the nets, watch how he practised, watch how he did things, ask him for advice and he was really open, really honest, very helpful in terms of how to get the best out of my game against spin.
Both Kevin Pietersen and Joe Root were part of the England squad that clinched a 2-1 Test series win in India back in 2012/13. //
If he can offer that kind of stuff
“If he can offer that kind of stuff in a coaching capacity as he did as a senior player then I think it’s really going to benefit us as a group.”
Root believes that Pietersen’s personality and his depth of insights will benefit the team as they head towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next year in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“I think you want people to give their honest opinion,” he added.
“Why would you get him involved if you didn’t want him to tell you what you think and to give his insight into the game.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc_jEWqinPN/
He is very knowledgeable, he has got
“He is very knowledgeable, he has got a very good understanding of batting in particular and he’s got a huge amount of energy.”
“So, I think he’s going to be great for the group and I’m really looking forward to getting him involved.”
England’s red-ball captain however, isn’t looking too far ahead in the future as they prepare for the third and final home Test against Pakistan, as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrAoIhCkHC/
Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead
Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the hosts will be eager to conclude the series on a perfect note in Edgbaston.
However, Root added that the series scoreline isn’t completely indicative of the challenge that the visitors have posed.
“Absolutely we have found (Pakistan) a challenge,” Root said.
“I think that’s a bit disrespectful to both Pakistan as a team and to us as a team. I don’t think we’ve allowed them to get into games because of how well we’ve played as well and how quickly we’ve read the situations and the surfaces that we’ve had.
I think it’s very easy to say one
“I think it’s very easy to say one team is excellent and one team is poor. Normally it’s somewhere in the middle.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcz6D9XIzLe/
Root added that despite the series lead, England will keep their focus firmly on the next challenge.
“Regardless of what’s happened over the last two games, this week it’s a completely different proposition for us.
There’s a very talented group of players
“There’s a very talented group of players in that dressing room and you’ve got to be ready for it, so we’ll make sure that we are.”
England and Pakistan will square off in Edgbaston for the third Test starting Wednesday, September 9.
Series schedule
First Test: August 19-23, Headingley (England won by an innings and 103 runs)
Second Test: August 27-31, Lord’s (England won by 194 runs)
Third Test: September 9-13, Edgbaston
NewsJoe RootKevin PietersenICC World Test ChampionshipICC World Test Championship, 2025/27England
Source: www.icc-cricket.com
