Former England captain Nasser Hussain called for Joe Root’s return to the ODI side. He sought some clarity over Root and Ben Stokes’ roles in the 50-over format for England. The side recently suffered a 3-2 loss in the 5-match ODI series against Australia. In injured Jos Buttler’s absence, Harry Brook led the side and England recovered from trailing 0-2 to level the series 2-2 before the 5th and final ODI match. Root hasn’t featured in England’s ODI squad since the ODI World Cup 2023. He also could have been rested after a gruelling yet rewarding English summer.
“Buttler comes back, Stokes has said if asked he will come back, and then there is Root. They are brilliant white-ball players. They deserve the right to know what their position is – they are Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Do we want them back? That is they key decision McCullum and Buttler have to make,” Hussain told Sky Sports.
Will Stokes return to ODI side?
Hussain wasn’t sure about Stokes returning to the ODI side who reversed his retirement to feature in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. He acknowledged the workload management factor with Stokes being England’s Test captain and playing as an all-rounder after his injury recovery.
“Stokes, I am a bit worried about workload – and now he is a complete all-rounder if he comes back. He is Test match captain and all-rounder which is so important. You want to use him in as many Test matches as possible.”
“Joe Root, when that collapse was happening. He may have been, he would have been one, who would have been like ‘woah it is spinning now. We were hitting down the ground. We are going to have sweeps and reverse sweeps. Get our scores down a bit and go for 350 instead of 400’. He would have used his nous. He is such a good player of spin.”
Root needed for Champions Trophy?
Hussain felt that Root’s approach would have come in handy during the 5th ODI against Australia in Bristol, as the English batters struggled in the middle. He highlighted the crucial role which Root could play in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which would be potentially hosted in the subcontinent tracks of Pakistan, favouring spin.
“The Champions Trophy is in Pakistan, it will be played in spinning conditions, sub-continent, you would want Root around. I would have definitely had Root back in the side. Once you get those decision out of the way then you fill the gaps.”
