Sri Lanka v England: Joe Root says tourists need to be 'bolder'

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England captain Joe Root
Root is trying to captain England to a first win abroad since 2015-16
Sri Lanka v England, first Test
Venue: Galle International Stadium, Galle Dates: 6-10 November Time: From 04:30 GMT
Coverage: Live text commentary and The Cricket Social programme on the BBC Sport website and app.

England will try to be "bolder" and more "courageous" during their forthcoming three-match Test series in Sri Lanka, says captain Joe Root.

The first Test in Galle starts on Tuesday, with the tourists attempting to win a Test series in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2001.

"We've done things in a certain way in the past when we have come to the subcontinent," said Root.

"I think it is time to try something slightly different."

Root said England need to "be a little bit bolder and courageous and maybe really try to exploit every surface that we come up against".

England have not won an away Test series since their tour of South Africa in 2015-16. The last time they were on the subcontinent they lost 4-0 to India at the end of 2016.

Their preparations have been disrupted by rain, with the opening day of their final warm-up match washed out.

"I do think we've made the most of the opportunities we have had," said Root.

"There should be no excuses going into the game."

More rain in Galle has prevented Root from seeing the pitch for the opening Test.

There have been reports pace bowler Stuart Broad could be droppedexternal-link to allow England to play an extra spin bowler, while the tourists are undecided if Jos Buttler or Ben Foakes will keep wicket with Jonny Bairstow injured.

"For us to win over here, it is not going to be 11 players - it is going to be a squad performance," added Root.

"There will be times when the balance of the team might change quite drastically and we've got to be open to that and accept that.

"It's not about you individually, it's about us collectively doing something special here."

The match will be England's first Test since 2006 without Alastair Cook, following the opener's international retirement in September.

"I've played 70-odd games and he's been involved in every single one of them," said Root.

"It has been slightly strange him not being around, but it creates opportunities for other guys to stand up and take on that leadership role in the side and the squad.

"You're starting to see that already, which is really promising, and I'm sure that's exactly how he would want it."

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have made a late change to their line-up after bowler Lahiru Kumara was dropped for, according to a statement from the hosts, "breaching the code of conduct of the team".

He has been replaced by Dushmantha Chameera.

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78 comments

  • Comment posted by Angry Beast, at 11:48 5 Nov 2018

    I do hope "bolder" doesn't mean giving the batsmen a free hand to play daft shots irrespective of the match situation. Root's comment sounds vague and cliched. This is not ODI cricket and he is not Eoin Morgan.

  • Comment posted by Rockin_Rog, at 11:57 5 Nov 2018

    I should have thought the message should be to treat your wicket like gold dust and never give it away. If it takes all day to get a 100 then so be it.

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 12:51 5 Nov 2018

    I want Root to be bold. Bold in bucking the trend set by his limited-overs specialist coach, who seems to encourage players to "express themselves" whatever that means.

    I want him to drum into his players that being positive isn't reckless headless attack at all times. In limited overs, playing out a maiden is a crisis. In a Test, it's a good start.

  • Comment posted by Top Hat, at 11:03 5 Nov 2018

    Sadly you said the same before the ashes tour. Talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words

  • Comment posted by burty 6_53, at 12:22 5 Nov 2018

    And what exactly does 'bolder' mean, then, Joe?

    Trying to smash 6 balls an over to the boundary instead of 4?

    Slashing wildly at balls wider of the stumps because they are even more of a freebie?

    Attempting to slog more balls over the leg side after fetching them from outside off stump?

    More switch hits and ramp shots?

    You need to instil discipline, Joe.

    DISCIPLINE!!!

  • Comment posted by kieranm, at 11:47 5 Nov 2018

    @ 4. Posted by Shemanator
    Hameed/Robson deserve another go.

    Are you kidding - Hameed can barely score a run in Lancashire's 2nd XI!
    Jennings is a walking wicket. Technically flawed, he will be found out again on this tour I suspect - hopefully his last for England.

  • Comment posted by laughingdevil, at 13:12 5 Nov 2018

    We don't need to be bolder

    We need to be smarter!

  • Comment posted by gazismad, at 19:56 5 Nov 2018

    Be bolder has nothing to do with it. England have to learn how to bat for a day and a half and get 450. Problem over

  • Comment posted by alwaysred, at 14:39 5 Nov 2018

    Foakes has to keep. In one day cricket we see buttler miss the odd stumping or drop the odd catch when standing up to the stumps, and in a test match those chances have to be taken

  • Comment posted by the middle, at 14:38 5 Nov 2018

    Bold my arse... I still can't believe captains of any team say stuff like this only to attract criticism when it all goes wrong. Best of luck to the team, but boldness won't win it in the sub continent. Batting all day might though, so let's just start there and stay sharp with the ball and in the field. Bold my arse.

  • Comment posted by Wooster, at 14:07 5 Nov 2018

    Why do the media always try and make Root say some crap nonsense about courage before every series? I doubt he likes doing it. It's just so they can get a little soundbite to fill their article quotas.

  • Comment posted by Dougie, at 14:12 5 Nov 2018

    I think bold is about selections. Adapt the make up of the team to suit the pitch.

    Sounds like 3 spinners with Mo at 3. With 3 spinners you need your best keeper, Foakes looks to be getting the gloves.

    We will soon find out.

  • Comment posted by EDDY, at 12:06 5 Nov 2018

    If Foakes does not play on this tour I don't think he ever will. Reminds me of Steve Davies a great keeper with no test cap.

  • Comment posted by olly, at 14:57 5 Nov 2018

    To me Joe Root demonstrates he is no Test Captain, Bold is the last thing you need in a test match.

  • Comment posted by Rockin_Rog, at 09:27 6 Nov 2018

    When Root made these comments yesterday I thought it was a mistake. He'd be better off suggesting that his team try to protect their wicket at all costs. I don't mind if someone takes all day to score a century.

    So far I've seen at least 3 wickets lost to shots that shouldn't have been played at that stage of the innings.

    Its a test match Joe.

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 09:20 6 Nov 2018

    Burty @64 et al

    It's blindingly obvious to everyone here that what you need to bat in SL is a clear head and a deliberate approach. Defend the good ball, hit the bad ball, don't go looking for runs that aren't there. Positive, mature batting.
    Hell's teeth, that's just a proper test cricket technique and mindset!

    So why is it so hard for the professional payers and coaches to understand?

  • Comment posted by the middle, at 08:16 6 Nov 2018

    60. Posted by Lugs63
    I agree. England are a stronger team with Woakes in it. Buttler and Foakes pulling the game back a little through sensible test batting. Bold has nothing to do with it.

  • Comment posted by burty 6_53, at 12:26 5 Nov 2018

    @ 4 Shemanator

    I agree with 5 - the Angry Breast.

    Hameed has scored over 50 only once in two seasons. He's either forgotten how to hold a bat, got a huge hole in it or needs a bell in the ball.

  • Comment posted by steve_harmisons_middle_finger, at 12:08 5 Nov 2018

    So even more gung-ho batting? This could get messy.

  • Comment posted by Rockin_Rog, at 11:40 6 Nov 2018

    So Mr Root, who has been England's best performer? The "bold" top order and their 80% strike rates, or that old plodder Ben Foakes who has managed a snail like 87?

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