Ashes 2017-18: Joe Root hits back at Ricky Ponting’s ‘little boy’ jibe

Root has scored only 176 runs in six innings of this Ashes series thus far.

Joe Root is having a terrible time with the bat in the ongoing Ashes series | Getty

England skipper Joe Root has responded to legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s remark that the 26-year-old has appeared as a “little boy” while leading England in the ongoing Ashes series.

Root hits back at Ponting saying that the three times World Cup winning Aussie skipper has no idea what’s going on in the visitors dressing room. However, he conceded that the 43-year-old is entitled to his opinion.

“He [Ricky] is entitled to his opinion but he doesn’t spend any time in our dressing room or around the squad. I’m obviously going to disagree with that. I’m sure if you asked any of the guys in the camp, the coaches or support staff or players, they would back me up on that,” Root was quoted by ‘the guardian’ as saying.

The England captain also made it clear that such comments from the former cricketers don’t really bother him as he is more than capable enough to take a firm decision if necessary.

“I don’t think I go about things as a ‘little boy’, for sure, I have my own way of doing things – I think it’s important you don’t try to be something you’re not,” Root said.

“I know there are occasions where you might have to be quite strong in front of the group. I may not appear to do that out on the field. But there are certainly times when I know that I can do that, and I have done that,” he explained.

Joe Root also praised the Surrey pacer Tom Curran, who made his Test debut at the MCG in place of the injured Craig Overton.

“Tom offers a lot – he’s a real competitor. He’s always wanting to get in the contest, and you know you’re always going to get absolutely everything out of him. He’s also very skillful,” the Yorkshire born England captain said.

“He’s a feisty character. He does get the ball to move around a little bit, and he’s always in there in the contest. That’s one thing that really stands out to me: that he will at no point hide away from any challenge,” concluded Root.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 26 Dec, 2017

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