Ashes 2017-18: Steve Smith praises 'tough character' Joe Root

Australian skipper Steve Smith was all smiles after his side completed a dominating 4-0 win over the English side in the Ashes 2017-18. Smith, however, had his concerns expressed for his opposition number, Joe Root. Root was the solitary ray of hope for team England on the final day of the Sydney Test. Australia needed only 6 wickets to wrap up the series.

However, they had to get past Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on the penultimate day. The English fans hoped for Root to ensure a draw for their side. But the English mainstay had to head back to the pavilion after being ill during the course of action on the final day. He remained unbeaten on 58. Commenting on him, Steve Smith remarked that Root indeed looked in discomfort. He praised Root for showing great courage to come out and bat on the day.

“It took a lot of courage to come out and bat, you could see he was struggling a fair bit, particularly when he was running between wickets. He’s a tough character so he must have been in a pretty bad way not to come out after the break,” quoted Steve Smith.

Stomach bug keeps Root out of action

Meanwhile, England vice-captain James Anderson revealed that it was a stomach bug that kept Root out of action. Root did not come out to bat again in the match. Anderson noted that the condition was pretty bleak and hence, the English captain did not come out to bat. He also had his words of praise for the captain.

Anderson noted that touring Australia as a captain is never easy. Joe Root tried his best to keep the spirits high. Such is the nature of the game that the result does not often end up being in one’s favor.

“He was up all night with some sort of stomach bug, some gastro thing. He is asleep in the dressing-room trying to recover. He’s not had any sleep, he’s not eaten. He’s had diarrhoea and vomiting, so I’m guessing he’s not in a great state at the minute,” James Anderson quoted.

“So to get to the ground in itself is a great effort and then to strap his pads on and bat for as long as he did was a brilliant effort from him and just shows what sort of character he is. He wants to lead by example for this team. He’s been a fantastic captain throughout this tour. You ask any captain that has toured Australia it is not an easy place to come, not an easy place to play, especially when you’re on the wrong end of results,” Anderson added.

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