Sharjah: England Ashes hero Joe Root showed his form on the first day of the two-day match against Pakistan A with an elegant unbeaten half-century as the tourists racked up 286 for five here on Monday.
Root is now hoping to carry his form from the home series against Australia — when he scored 460 runs at an average of 57.50 — into the upcoming matches against Pakistan in the UAE.
After hitting a fluent 59 from 97 balls before retiring out in hot and humid conditions at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Root said: “It’s nice to get some runs out in the middle. You can do all the work in the nets, but to get some time out there in the middle is very valuable, and to get used to the conditions and surface was really worthwhile.”
Root was rested for the one-day series that followed the Ashes and is happy with the break he had, as he was keen to be 100 per cent fit for the challenge against Pakistan.
“I have played a lot of cricket so it is very important that you don’t drop off the most important thing, which is to lose your performance through tiredness or over playing. I feel really fresh now and I am raring to go for this series,” he said.
The 24-year-old knows the Sharjah wicket for this tour match may not be replicated in the three-Test series, which begins in Abu Dhabi on October 13 before heading to Dubai and finally to Sharjah, but he was delighted with the experience.
“I think the practice days have been good to get used to the surfaces and roughly know what we can expect. Though it may not be a true reflection what it will be when we play the Test match here, it is good to get used to the slower outfield and the heat, as well as facing lots of overs of spin, on the back of an English summer, which is not something one is necessarily accustomed to.
“It is good to get all that on board and then to go from here and work out things going forward. We will be accustomed to it by the time the first Test comes and hopefully we will be at our absolute best for the first Test.”
Yorkshireman Root feels he is ready for any threat that Pakistan may pose for him.
“I feel I know my game well enough to get ready for a different series and to get myself in the right frame of mind. I will definitely benefit from the break. I am ready to crack on now and get in as much preparation as I need and make sure I am absolutely ready for whatever Pakistan throw at us in the first game,” he said.
Root then went on to hail his skipper Alastair Cook, who led from the front with a half-century on Monday. “Alastair is our leader and he leads from the front. He does his best for us and that is what we admire him for and today was a great example of it. It is very pleasing to see him start well on the first day of our trip.”
Pakistan A’s star player Fawad Alam, who is hoping to earn a return to Pakistan’s Test side after making three appearances in 2009, feels the team played well on the first day against England.
“I think our boys did a good job. It was very hot and they bowled well and fielded well. It was a good day for us.
“It is not so hot even in Pakistan so it can be tough for England as they are not used to it, but still they played well despite the tough conditions. It is not going to be easy for them but they are professional cricketers and will have to manage it.”
Talking about his chances of performing well in the Test series if given a chance, Alam said: “Expectations over players will always be there. So to come back after [six] years is not easy. But my focus is, if I get the chance, to deliver my best.”
