Former England cricketer Mark Butcher suggested that Joe Root's extensive bowling duties have affected his batting performance in the ongoing Test series in India. Root, the ex-England captain, has only managed to score 77 runs in six innings so far, while also being tasked with bowling over 100 overs in India Tests.
Joe Root picked up five-wicket haul
Due to England's inexperienced bowling lineup, Ben Stokes has heavily relied on Root, who primarily bowls part-time off-spin. Despite his previous success as a bowler in India, Root's dual role seems to have impacted his batting form. However, Root showcased his bowling prowess by claiming a five-wicket haul in the series. In England's 28-run victory over India in the opening Test in Hyderabad, Root played a crucial role by taking five wickets, four of which were in the first innings.
Butcher questions Root's heavy bowling workload
"If you're asking your best batter to be a genuine all-rounder and bowl as many overs as your frontline spinners, then don't be overly surprised if you're not getting the output from him with the bat that you would like. I've thought that that thinking, going back in time to when people were talking about Joe Root being the lone spinner for England in more seam-friendly conditions and said that that was nonsense. I still think that having him having to do so much work as a frontline spin bowler is not likely to yield the sort of results that you'd expect from him with the bat," Butcher was quoted as saying by Wisden.
Butcher emphasised that throughout the series, the toss has consistently favoured India. As a result, England needed a bowler capable of breaking through the opposition's defenses, rather than one focused solely on keeping the runs down.
Butcher highlights unfavorable toss results
"I'm not sure what England can do about that with Leach's injury, but it exposes a little bit the folly of going out there with such a green spin attack anyway to India. Rehan Ahmed and [Tom] Hartley have performed really really well, but, given the tosses coming down when you're bowling first and third rather than second fourth, you need a bit more than guys who are just either making their way in the game or guys who are, as Joe Root is, part-time spin bowlers to hold the fort for you. It's such a fundamental reason why [India] were favourites before it started," Butcher added.
The fourth Test between India and England will kick off in Ranchi on February 23.
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