Joe Root’s genius finally has England looking forward again

With the ex-skipper smiling once more, England cricket fans can afford to do the same, writes Ben Burrows

Root celebrates reaching his century against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday (PA)

It took a hero of old to kick off England’s new era in style.

The impact of new captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum on England’s ailing Test side could yet be great, but it was brilliance from former skipper Joe Root that guided them to victory in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.

The win, sealed with an imperious and unbeaten fourth-innings century from Root, capped off the perfect start for England’s new regime, and hints at better things to come for a team in sore need of a boost.

It started with a fine bowling display – debutant Matthew Potts the standout performer – as the tourists were routed for just 132 on day one.

But as so often for this England side with the bat, it wasn’t to be straightforward: a renewed New Zealand responded in kind, ripping through the hosts to restrict them to a lead of just nine after the first innings.

The inaugural winners of the World Test Championship were always going to provide a stern first examination of this Stokes-McCullum vintage. With much shrewder application and buoyed by a second Test ton for Daryl Mitchell, the visitors set England a daunting 277 to win. A total that would surely have been greater but for a Stuart Broad-inspired three wickets in three balls earlier in the day.

After another top order wobble, out strode Root and, alongside first Stokes and then Ben Foakes, faultlessly set about his task.

The 100th run of his innings was the 10,000th of his career, and 15 runs later came a hugely impressive victory. For a side with only one win in their last 17 it was much needed.

Life has been tough for Root of late, with the captaincy of a team devoid of fight and form weighing heavily.

“You can see the genuine joy and elation on their faces, that’s the thing I’ve missed the most over the last year and a bit,” he said afterwards. “It’s one thing I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot more of this summer.”

With Root back smiling and looking at his very best, England cricket fans can finally look forward again too.

Yours,

Ben Burrows

Sports editor