Root scored 83 as England beat South Africa in World T20
Saturday 19 March 2016 13:21, UK
Joe Root is the best batsman across all three formats that England has ever produced, says Nasser Hussain.
Root hit 83 from 44 balls as England completed the highest successful run chase in the ICC World T20 by trumping South Africa's 229-4 with two balls remaining in a pulsating clash in Mumbai.
The Yorkshireman's half-century was his third in 14 T20I innings while he has also plundered a combined 17 tons in Test and ODI cricket, averaging over 54 in the former and over 44 in the latter, before the age of 26.
"People were asking where Root's place was in England's T20 side a while ago but he strikes it a similar rate as Jos Buttler, who is this legendary T20 player."
"He is the best England batsman across all forms of cricket ever," Hussain told Sky Sports after Root helped England respond to Wednesday's Chris Gayle-inspired defeat to West Indies.
"I know that is a big comment but can you name another batsman who could do what he does as well as him?
"People were asking where Root's place was in England's T20 side a while ago but he strikes it a similar rate as Jos Buttler, who is this legendary T20 player.
"He just does it in a different way - with Jos you know he is striking it well, whereas with Joe he has 40 off 20 and you wonder how he has done it.
"Apart from his back, I don't think England have to wrap him up in cotton wool - (India's Virat) Kohli can cope with the pressure and stardom and Joe will learn to do the same.
"He is our best player, a star, and will only get better - these are the best years of his life."
Root's knock at Wankhede Stadium, which contained six fours and four sixes, came after Jason Roy (43 from 16) and Alex Hales (17 from 7) had thumped England to 48-0 within the third over of their innings.
Hussain heaped praise on England's opening duo and the team's 'bottle' - but was scathing of the bowling performances from both sides in Mumbai, as 459 runs were smashed in 39.4 overs.
"It's one thing chasing 230 when it's your first game and there is another tomorrow but another when if you lose the game you are probably out," added Hussain, as England joined West Indies and Sri Lanka on two points in Group 1.
"England showed a lot of bottle and the 40-odd runs that Hales and Roy put on, which won't get much of a mention, got them off to flyer that South Africa couldn't come back from.
"The bowling was horrendous, though - England bowled too wide and South Africa bowled too straight.
"The batting in limited-over cricket has gone up exponentially - the 360 shots played are unimaginable - but the bowling is no better than it was a decade ago, perhaps because of the pressure put on bowlers by batsmen."
Watch England's next World T20 game, against Afghanistan, from 9am, Wednesday, Sky Sports 2.
