Shane Warne expects Joe Root to bring aggression back in the England team

Australia’s spin legend Shane Warne has high expectations from England’s new skipper Joe Root and feels he can change the way England play the longest format of the game. Root’s first assignment as the captain will be in the Ashes 2017 when England take on Australia where they will attempt to retain the urn. Warne opines that Root will adopt an attacking approach for his team.

When the Australian bowling stalwart was asked to comment on Root’s likely approach towards his new role, Warne said that he feels Root has a bit more flair than Alastair Cook. He praised Cook and said that he had his strength but his successor is different would opt for different tactics.

Warne was critical of Cook 

“Alastair Cook had a lot of strengths … (but) I think (Root) will be a lot different tactically.” He admits that he criticised Cook at the start of his career because he felt that he was not a worthy captain. “I was very critical of Alastair Cook at the start because he wasn’t making a run either, and I didn’t think he captained the side that well. But that was three or four years ago,” Warne said.

He continued to say that he hopes Root can show more aggression and desire to win games. “I hope Joe Root will be a little bit more aggressive and try and win games, rather than make sure they don’t lose them,” he added.

Warne is eager to watch Root’s captaincy 

Warne is eager to watch the new captain in action and expects coaches of the England team to give him the space to follow his ideas.

“I think it will bring the best out in him, he will enjoy it. I’m excited to see the way he (does it),” the 47-year-old said.

He’s aggressive, and takes the game on – he likes to be positive all of the time – so I hope that rubs off in his captaincy,” Warne added.

The Ashes will be their biggest assignment for Root as captain of the England team this year but expectations from Root the batsman will also be equally high.