Joe Root - Destined for Greatness?

Joe Root has been in the limelight a lot recently for England - and he's made a big impact on the international scene as well as for his county Yorkshire last summer.

At just 22 years old he's got the best years of his career ahead of him; if he keeps on the straight and narrow unlike some other hot prospects in the English game. Ben Stokes *Cough* Matt Coles *Cough*

But what has Joe Root achieved so far in his relatively short career?

What brought him in to the English squad in the first place?

Well - he showed promise right from the word go. On his second team debut for Yorkshire he scored a half century. More impressive scores followed, and it was only a matter of time before  he got his chance in the first team.

His chance came against Essex; in the final CB40 match of the 2009 season. His first XI debut was just as fine as his entrance to the second XI, hitting a half century opening the batting. His 63 turned accounted for over a third of his sides runs and after the game he described his impressive debut knock as "dream come true."

Joe Root playing for Yorkshire in the CC

The England's under 19's squad is where a lot of young England stars start to shine on the international level. Michael Vaughan and Freddie Flintoff captained this side when they were both teenagers, showing that the under 19 stage is a vital stepping stone in the career of an aspiring international cricketer.

Root wasn't picked as captain for the team but in 2010 in the under 19 world cup. He was picked to open the batting. In two games he scored nearly a century in total, although these scores were against minor teams. His first two games were his big successes of the tournament from his personal playing point of view, as he made no major contribution to his teams totals in games against a strong India and then West Indies.

He'd done decent at the world cup but hadn't made a massive impact.

At this point few could predict that in two years time he would be a Yorkshire regular, holding several ODI caps and a single test cap.

In 3 of his one day games he hit half centuries and he has also hit a half century in his single test cap.

He can turn his arm over too; his gentle off break could claim a wicket or two once in a blue moon. Primarily, he can hold up and end for a couple of overs before the new ball is available.

The boy can field too - he's pretty much got the potential to have the full package. The video --->  is a brilliant piece of fielding by the young man, and a brilliant example of the ever changing game of cricket. You wouldn't have seen a batsman playing a shot like this never mind the fieldsman producing a piece of magic 30 years ago.

So is Joe Root destined for great things? Will he become a key player in this years ashes and beyond? Or will he become a flop? Will he drift away from the national team set up and never be heard of again?

Well, I think Root is destined to play a massive part against the Aussies this year. Against a relatively weak bowling line up he could deliver a lot of damage.

Against India in December he showed his potential in very tough conditions.He batted slowly, with patience, and although he scored only four boundaries he kept the scoreboard ticking over. For this reason I think he is more suited to opening the batting rather than coming in at number five/six. He and Cook could give the Aussie's a lot to think about early on in the innings.

If he puts in the hard work on the training ground and stays out of the media for the wrong reasons then I can't see a reason why he can't replace Andrew Strauss at the top of the English batting order.

Only time will tell if I'm right, but I'm rarely wrong! However, I would still love to hear the views of you, any comments at the bottom of the page are always appreciated!

Cheers.

The Best Batsman In The IPL

The Indian Premier League isn't everybody's doner kebab. Personally, I don't mind it. If it's on the box I flick to it from time to time to check the score and I might even watch a couple of overs. But one thing I do notice when I watch it, is the amount of batting quality in the league.

KP. Rahul Dravid. Tendulkar. Owais Shah. De Villiers. The list goes on and on.

There seems to be endless batting quality in the IPL. But out of all of these players. Who is the best?

In this post I am going to compile a list and compare players, by the end. I'll put my top three batsmen.

Lets talk about KP first. This man can be absolutely lethal with a cricket bat in his hands. He scored his maiden ton in T20 in the IPL today, in just 64 balls (not bad going) while playing for the Delhi Daredevils to take them to the top of the league. Bad point; Not very good at playing against left arm spin, although he does deny this. But lets be honest, he can't play it. But is still a game changer, he can turn a game on it's head with his elegant strokes and big hits. A formidabble IPL player. And a strong candiadate.

Dhoni next, this guy is a brilliant player, captain of India, captain of the Super Kings, my team. (up the kings) A fantastic captain and decent keeper, A cracking player in all forms of the game. He is a very good player to have in a IPL side. Possibly in the running for the top 3.

Another Indian player next, Rahul Dravid. The wall. And as his nickname suggests, maybe T20 isn't his game, he is a decent player to get an innings started, but not one to change a match. Out of the running I'm afraid pal.

The cooliest man in the IPL next, Chris Gayle. Don't get me started on his wicked shades he wears in the field. Like Dravid, he starts an innings, but this man can change the match. He is capable of hitting big runs in an over to get his side back on track. He hit five sixes in a over a few days ago, which completely changed that match. What a player this guy is. Definitely in the running to get in the top three.

The Blighty reject now, Owais Shah. Been in brilliant form in the first few games in the Premier League and some talk of an England call up.. He had his chance and I don't think he will keep up this good form. He just can't be graded in the same category as players such as KP, De Villiers, Gayle etc. No way in my top 3. Chin up Owais.

Seeing as I just mentioned him, lets talk about AB De Villiers. He is the man for Bangalore. He comes out in the middle order and bosses the middle. He hit a game changing 64 against Dehli after coming in when Bangalore were in danger of posting a under-par score. And then against Pune he hit 33 to help his side clinch a last ball winner. A brilliant player and top lad. A very decent shout for being in the top 3.

Now, how could we have a list of brilliant batsmen without the little master? Sachin Tendulkar. This man can do great things with the willow. And I don't have to explain why he is on the shortlist. He just is.

And last but by no means least. David Warner. Playing for Delhi. This opener had some good first few games for Austrailia. But has fell of the radar in recent months. A decent player who can strike a good ball. But probably not in the top three. Maybe in a couple of years, but now. No.

These are the players I think are some of the best players in the IPL. Apart from Shah, I just stuck him in the list so I could have a personal dig at him.

But who is the best?

They all have different traits. Some are captain material, some aren't. There are all different in there own special way.

So here we go, my number three...

        3) Chris Gayle

The stylish West Indian is my number three. He can hit a ball, and turn a game around in a number of balls, for this reason. My number 3.

        2) AB De Villiers

Yep, Abraham is my guy at number two. He can steady the ship, he can hit quick boundaries. He can keep the strike, he can rotate it. This is the reason he is my man at number two. He adapts to the situation he finds himself in very very easily. And that's why he is number two.
  
        1) Kevin Pietersen

The SA born Englishman is my IPL best batsmen. He doesn't adapt to situations as well as Abraham. He only ever has one mindset. Attack. And that is why he is so good. He can constantly hit boundaries over after over and pound the opposition. What he does, wins games. He can win games. This game winner is my number one.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers