Root rediscovers his form with century ahead of West Indies series
Published:Joe Root’s unbeaten century got England’s limited over tour of the West Indies off to a winning start against the University of West Indies Vice Chancellor’s XI.
The Yorkshire batsman, batting at number four, hit nine fours in a run-a-ball 104 as England posted 290 for 8 from their 50 overs.
Three wickets from spinner James Tredwell and two from captain Stuart Broad saw the visitors to 29-run victory despite the heroics of Kyle Corbin, who hit an 98-ball century against the English bowlers.
After a troublesome winter in which he was dropped for the final Ashes Test, Root’s return form is timely for an England side looking to make amends following the debacle in Australia.
It was the first time the 23-year-old had hit three figures since his 180 against the Australians at Lord’s last summer and the right-handed batsman is now ready to kick on and pile on the runs in the shorter formats of the game.
“To get runs early on in a tour gives you a lot of confidence for what’s to come,” Root told reporters after his unbeaten century.
“The key is to continue and build on this, and make sure I go on and become more consistent and can be relied upon on more occasions.”
Root is 9/2 with Ladbrokes to build on his performance in the warm-up match and top score for England in the first one-day international against the West Indies, a feat he also achieved in his side’s last ODI against Australia.
England start their three-game ODI series against the Windies on Friday and with Root seemingly in fine form the tourists could get back to winning ways in international cricket.
Stuart Broad’s side are 10/11 to win the first ODI and they are also on at the same odds to win the series in the Caribbean.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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