by sussexpob » Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:01 pm
Not sure I would setup a team based on apparent failure of those around Root. We did that for years, and all we did was pick negative players who didnt have the capacity to play top level scoring. When England lose, Roots SR is in the 70s. That probably says a lot, if people fail and he plays an anchor innings, we lose anyway. And without looking at all those games to get a feel of it, that is probably the most positive interpretation. A more obvious conclusion would be that when Roots slightly inferior scoring ability comes to the fore, England lose.
The anchor role doesnt mean a great deal in ODIs anymore. Ok, you are chasing a small score on a bad wicket and you lose the top order, its ok to consolidate for a bit and try to grind down a target. If you are targetting 350, not matter what situation you find yourself in, you have to attack. There is no point coming in at 4 with 40/2 on the board in 10 overs and saying "damn, need to keep wickets in hand". You bat out 10 overs without a wicket and take the score to 80/2 in 20, you've basically batted yourself out of the game. Of course, the argument is then that you set a platform for your late hitters and back them to score 250 in 25 overs or someting in that region. Wouldnt you just be better to back scoring 310 in 40 overs?
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