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England cricket team’s performance in the ongoing five-match Ashes Test series has been nothing less than miserable. The Joe Root-led side lost the first three Test matches against Australia and managed to draw the last Test (fourth) match. Since then, the English cricketers had understandably faced a lot of criticism. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also seemed to plan for a restriction of the England players' participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and many former cricketers were heard supporting this proposal.
No compromise
Skipper Root feels that there should be no compromising when it comes down to playing for the nation in the longest format of the game.
“I have not made a decision on that just yet. It is something I will have to keep wrestling with. Time is ticking but I have a lot to weigh up,” Root spoke to the reporters in the pre-match press conference.
“But I will never compromise or do anything that will detract from playing Test cricket for England. It is so important to make sure that is the priority for me and other players as well,” he added.
Playing in IPL?
Regarding his participation in the IPL, Root expressed that if there is “no negative impact” then he will put himself “in that position to play” and put himself “in the auction.”
“The thing I will weigh up is will it have a negative impact on me playing Test cricket for this team. If I don’t then I will put myself in that position to play and put myself in the auction,” the 31-year-old English skipper explained.
Supporting the coach
Apart from Root himself, England cricket team coach Chris Silverwood had to face plenty of backlash because of his team’s poor show in the Ashes. Multiple voices have been heard urging to remove Silverwood from his position.
But Root seemed firm in saying that he would want him to continue his job.
“Yes, I would," he told the media.
“I think the performances we put in during the first three games, I feel we’ve let him and the coaches down to a degree.
“I think he’s very calm, he has the respect of the guys in the group and he’s got a desperation to see everyone do well. It was a difficult week for the group of players with him not being around and it must have been very difficult for him.”
