England vs India: Joe Root says young batsmen are learning on the job in ODI cricket

Joe Root says some England players “need to learn on the job” in 50-over cricket due to lack of exposure to the format.

Root was a class apart in the second ODI in Cardiff.

In domestic cricket, the ODI Cup is played in the same window as the Hundred and has therefore become a developmental tournament.

Collectively, England’s top six batsmen on Thursday played more than 400 fewer matches than their Indian counterparts in List A cricket (which combines one-day internationals with the big domestic white-ball competition).

“I think that’s one of the biggest challenges for this team and the youngsters,” Root, 35, said after England’s win.

“Not just now, but in the next little while, whoever comes into this team will not have the wealth of experience and understanding of 50-over cricket because we don’t face it anymore.

“You don’t have that element of grounding before you get to this level, which happens elsewhere in the world, so it makes sense that there will be times where guys have to learn the job and they have to learn quickly.”

England reached their target of 234 in the 45th over in what looked like a traditional ODI, where Root’s knock – alongside Virat Kohli’s 65 in India’s innings – was based on strike rotation, late ball play and some loose punishment.

Given the conditions, it was a stark contrast to some of the batting produced by England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad, but Root highlighted the importance of being able to adapt.

“You have to be brave and know that you can absorb the pressure, because you always have more time than you think and you can really make things happen,” added Root.

“The more gear you can have, the better player you’ll be in the long run.

“Some guys will figure out their tricks, sometimes you’re in a field where 400 is an even score that can happen.

“But you have to have range and the hardest thing for guys coming into English cricket is that those who play T20 cricket can manipulate the pitch and move the game forward – but when you find yourself in a situation like that, a wicket like that, can you find a way to make it ugly and just get over the line?”