Paul Collingwood says England Test captain Joe Root will make his mark
Wednesday 11 April 2018 15:28, UK
Paul Collingwood has backed England Test captain Joe Root to stamp his authority on the team as they look to bounce back after series defeats to Australia and New Zealand this winter.
Former England all-rounder Collingwood, who was fielding coach during the 4-0 Ashes series defeat and the 1-0 defeat in the two-match series across the Tasman Sea, admitted Root and his players had been through a difficult time.
They have now failed to win in their last 13 overseas Test matches but the 41-year-old, who will begin his 23rd season as a Durham player this month, saw enough positive aspects to offer encouragement for the future.
"It was a tough winter, but I still felt as though the spirit was still there in the team," he said.
"Going to Australia, it's never an easy place - in history, it's never been an easy place no matter what team we have had.
"But look, Joe Root is going to stamp his authority on that team over time and take it to a new level.
"The white-ball team has done that over the past two or three years and now it's up to the Test team to go in a similar vein and really have a brand of cricket that they need to play.
"But the white-ball team seems to be going from strength to strength and giving themselves really good opportunities to do something special next year [at the World Cup].
"When you have got three 90mph bowlers bowling at you on those kind of pitches, and a very good off-spinner, it is difficult, but they stuck at their task very well.
"Of course the results didn't go our way, but there are a lot of players in that team who are early on in their career and who are still finding their feet in international cricket, so hopefully that experience will put them in good stead for the future."
Joe Root is going to stamp his authority on that team over time and take it to a new level.
Collingwood has been mentioned as a possible England head coach for the future, although he insists he is not yet ready for such a high-profile position.
"It's incredible how people give you that tag, but I'm enjoying the coaching through the winters," he added.
"It's great to be able to go away and help England with coaching, it's something that I do enjoy.
"But it's still early days, I'm early days in my coaching career and still learning a lot, but I have to say, I do enjoy it."
