'I’m just trying to find my role in this team' - Joe Root on coming to terms with England's new approach

England steamrolled New Zealand in the first Test in Mount Maunganui to make it ten wins in 11 matches since Ben Stokes' appointment as the Test skipper. While the swashbuckling batting style of the English batters has thrown the cricketing manual out of the window, former England skipper and batting ace Joe Root is still getting accustomed to his side's ultra-aggressive approach.

Joe Root, who made an excellent contribution to his side's first four matches under Ben Stokes by registering three centuries, has struggled to live up to his usual high standards. The prolific English run-getter feels he has not been able to contribute to the team's success as he is still finding his role on the side.

“I think I’ve just got to find out what sits best for me, and that’s going to take some time. If I’m being brutally honest there was the initial relief of coming out of the captaincy, and now I’m just trying to find out what my role is within this team. It sounds silly with the experience I have, but you want to be involved and be part of it. You want to heavily contribute, and I feel like I’ve not been able to do that in the last few Test matches," Joe Root was quoted saying to The Independent.

I’ve not performed for a little while but it’s given me a little sharpener: Root

The Yorkshireman compiled a brisk half-century in the second innings of the Test series opener against New Zealand. The ace batter has admitted that not being able to perform in the previous matches has ignited a fire under his belly, and he is willing to incorporate attacking shots into his Test game.

“With the rhythms of the game, I’ve maybe got a bit caught up in it. I’ve not performed for a little while but it’s given me a little sharpener, a kick up the backside, that this is how I need to play my cricket, how I can be consistently useful in this group. It’s not going to stop me from playing it, maybe just be smarter about playing it. It’s now part of my Test game, and I’ll continue to utilise it when it’s the right time,” he added.

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