Joe Root is one of the two best batsmen in the world, says Rob Key
Friday 23 October 2015 16:11, UK
Joe Root is one of the best two batsmen in the world at the moment, according to former England star Rob Key.
Root continued his excellent form to finish 76 not out at the end of day two of the second Test between England and Pakistan in Dubai and will be crucial as the tourists aim to record a first-innings lead.
"Root and AB de Villiers are the best two players in the world," said Key. "When you think of how Root played in the one-day series against New Zealand and his all-round game in every conditions, he is brilliant.
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"He got through a barrage from Wahab Riaz, but the way he plays the spinner off the front and back foot and the way he is always looking to score shows he is a class, class act.
"Yasir Shah also gave Pakistan life and huge energy compared to the last Test, but Root played him quite brilliantly."
Mike Atherton was also full of praise for the way Root batted and played down concerns over the issues the England vice-captain has with his back after he was accompanied by the physio as he left the field at the end of the day.
"Root makes batting look so easy and plays with a beautiful tempo," Atherton said. "He has a definitive defensive technique but he also has the ability to knock things around.
"Root stays very upright to the seamers but squats down the spinners and, having chatted to him a bit, he said the back has started to click because of that.
"There are bad backs and bad backs and I hope he hasn't got the sort of bad back I had, but I don't think he has.
"The key is to get in the gym between games and do you core stability work. The batting and technique is important, but he also needs to be physically able to do it. He has the discipline to do it and I'm sure the medical staff will help him, too."
England will resume on 182-3 in reply to Pakistan's first-innings total of 378, with Jonny Bairstow (27no) joining Root at the crease.
