Joe Root’s ton in Australia in his 30th innings was a master class on how to tackle excessive bounce. His calm, cool method showed how those who say that on pitches like these there will be a ball with your name on it, don’t know what they are jabbering about
England’s Joe Root celebrates his century during the second Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images
Joe Root finally did it. He got a century in Australia in his 30th innings there and silenced all those who were doubting his ability to get a ton there. He got it after his team was in dire straits having lost two wickets to Mitchell Starc in the first couple of overs of the game itself. In scoring the century, he saved Matthew Hayden from a ticklish situation. Hayden had shown great confidence in his ability to get a ton and so had said he would run nude if he didn’t get a ton in Australia.
Since Hayden is from Brisbane and the game is currently at the Gabba, it won't be a surprise if the big fella with the big heart will invite him for a barbecue and a few beers at his home at the end of the game. Joe had expressed doubts about having a pink ball for a Test match between England and Australia. By scoring a century against the pink ball, he also stopped all the snide comments that would have come his way of his inability to score against it and that's why his reservations about playing with it in an Ashes series.
Enters 40-Test ton club
What was most impressive about his achieving the elusive landmark was the way he celebrated it. Removing the helmet and kissing the badge on it, then raising the bat to acknowledge the team dugout first and then towards the section where English supporters who had travelled miles were sitting and then spreading his hands as if to ask, what's the fuss about. Real classy with old world humility. He has got 40 Test match centuries and joins Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar in that rare exalted club.
Watching him bat was a master class on how to tackle a pitch with excessive bounce. While others tried to move away and play ugly shots, which they missed more than they connected, Root’s calm, cool method showed how all those who say that on pitches like these there will be a ball with your name on it, don't know what they are jabbering about. If a player has technique and above all, temperament, he can get runs on any surface.
Part of IPL auction
Root is one of the names in the mix for the mini auction for the IPL. He doesn't get to play too many games because the belief among the franchise coach and team selectors is that his orthodox methods don't suit the T20 format. He has shown with the reverse sweeps and scoops that he is perfectly capable of keeping the scoreboard ticking. It will be interesting to see how the auction goes for him.
There are some players who have made themselves available for a limited period. Frankly, if a player doesn't show respect to the IPL and make himself available for the full tournament he shouldn't even be in the auction. If something, other than national engagement, is more important to him, then not one second of the auction should be wasted on him. The IPL is the best T20 league in the world and anybody taking it lightly should not be considered at all.
Issue in injury replacements
The other thing that strikes an odd chord is those who are unsold at the auction go for more than their base price in case they are picked as injury replacement players later in the tournament. Never mind if the franchises have money left over but if they are going to replace some player then it's got to be at their base price only and not a rupee more otherwise it's a mockery of the earlier auction.
There is still no salary limit on an uncapped player and so many young fairly unknown players will be bought for sums, for playing 16 days of cricket which will be multiple times that of a Ranji Trophy player who plays for double that many days in mostly empty stadiums. The sad part is most, if not all these youngsters bought for huge sums hardly play in the tournament and are lost to the game after a season or two.
Have a look at the first price that all those who have gone on to become great players for India. They were all bought at their base prices and were thus hungry to perform and get more. Now have a look at all the uncapped players bought for crores and see where they are now. Maybe there's a lesson in that somewhere.
Professional Management Group
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