Joe Root says “there isn’t a drinking culture” in the England team and feels there is no need for an alcohol ban after Ben Stokes breached team protocols following the nightclub incident that has left his Test future in the balance.
Root, who will lead the England side for the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval, more than four years after handing the baton to Stokes, also admits “mistakes have been made” and revealed Stokes “feels like he’s let himself down”.
Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson were dropped from the squad last week ahead of the second Test against New Zealand starting Wednesday, while they are under investigation following their night out after England’s victory in the first Test at Lord’s.
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James Cole reports that Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the England squad for the second Test against New Zealand after breaching team protocols
Rob Key, England’s director of cricket, last week said the England and Wales Cricket Board was considering imposing an alcohol ban on the England team, with the most recent Ashes tour highlighting an apparent drinking culture that still exists.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said: “I don’t necessarily think that’s the way to go. I don’t think there’s a drinking culture within our team. I think, like I said, there have been occasions where we’ve let ourselves down and we’ve got things wrong.
“We have to accept that and move forward from that and learn from that, but I also think that when you work towards something for a long time, there should be opportunities and chances where you can celebrate that and enjoy that with the team.
“Not everyone drinks anyway within our group, but you should be able to get together and celebrate that and spend that time. And some of my greatest memories and fondest memories have been in the dressing room afterwards.
“So, that’s good fun and good, good stuff that you can do off the back of winning, and what you work towards for a long period of time, but you’ve got to pick the right times and the right places, and I think that’s the important thing.”
Root: Stokes in a good place but feels like he let himself down
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England head coach Brendon McCullum admits he is ‘worried’ for Stokes
The nightclub incident ended with a member of England’s security staff being reportedly struck by a Saracens rugby player, where Stokes was present.
The saga has heaped more scrutiny on the professionalism and culture around England’s Test team following a humiliating Ashes tour, after which a midnight curfew was reportedly imposed on England’s players and staff.
In his pre-match press conference, Root refused to disclose what was said with his good friend Stokes last week.
But he told Sky Sports: “I’ve spoken with Ben, he seems in a good place in the last week or so.
“There’s been a few incidents where guys have let themselves down, but I don’t necessarily think that’s a fair reflection of our dressing room. We’ve got to obviously own it and know that that is not okay, but at the same time, I don’t think that’s a fair reflection on us as a team. We work incredibly hard.
“As a cricketer, the amount of time and pressure that you spend away from home, away from your families, in high-pressure environments, and mistakes have been made. We have to learn from those clearly, and we have to move on from those quickly, and we have to earn the trust of everyone back by being as professional as we can, and putting good performances in.
“I think Ben feels like he’s let himself down, right? My main concern is, always, you look at the person and make sure that they’re okay, so that is first and foremost the most important thing, and then in terms of this week and moving forward as a team, it’s concentrating, making sure that everyone is fully on task and understanding of what’s ahead of us and what an exciting opportunity we have.”
Root ‘excited’ with captaincy; Stokes has ‘respect of everyone’
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McCullum is questioned on whether his side have a ‘problem’, with it now being six players involved in alcohol related incidents in the last few months
In his news conference on Tuesday, Root would not be drawn on how long he was willing to stay in the role of interim captain, insisting it would be assessed on a “game by game basis”.
However, he is looking forward to the opportunity of leading England again in the absence of Stokes. He was asked what his reaction to being asked to captain the side again was.
“I had a little think about it, but yes. I’m very excited with the opportunity we have ahead of us. Being captain of this group of players is a really exciting opportunity.
“I’m in a very different place to when I finished [as captain]. It’s going to be a really fun week, so I’m looking forward to getting out there on the field and playing again.
“I do think I’ve enjoyed the last couple of days, working with Baz [McCullum] in a slightly different space.
“One thing I’ve been envious of – in a good way – is being able to work with Baz in this sort of capacity. It’s been really cool, the last couple of days.
“It’s a very different look to even the team we had last week, but it’s very exciting as well.
“To get to lead those guys out and help operate how we work this week is really good.”
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England managing director Rob Key explains why it was ‘the right thing to do’ in giving Joe Root the Test captaincy over vice-captain Harry Brook
The 35-year-old, who also praised England’s bowler-dominated opening Test win against New Zealand at Lord’s, rebuffed questions on Stokes’ potential return as skipper and instead focused on his leadership skills.
“I don’t think it’s fair for me to make those kind of decisions and answer those kind of questions. They’re decisions for people in a slightly different position to me,” Root said.
“I’m sure he has the respect of everyone in our dressing room. He’s been a phenomenal leader for a number of years.
“We’ve achieved some great things as a team, as a group, won a hell of a lot of Test matches. Clearly he’s a talismanic player and a great friend to a number of the guys.
“There’s a huge amount of respect there from everyone.”
Root ‘on the same page’ as Brook
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Harry Brook gives Sky Sports an insight into how he leads as England captain
Root compared his role as skipper to Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, by heaping praise on his “brilliant cricket brain”.
He said: “I’m a different player, looking at the game in a different way from the last time I was here [as captain].
“I’ve got some some brilliant people around me. I’ve got a brilliant cricket brain in Harry Brook who stands next to me at second slip, who’s done a brilliant job with the white-ball stuff.
“We see the game very similarly, in different ways sometimes. But again – the fact that we are on the same page is a big strength.
“I’m sure he’ll be vital this week as well.”
Four changes to England’s XI
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Key gives his view on Stokes and Atkinson
McCullum also revealed four changes to England’s XI for the Test at The Oval, starting on Wednesday – live on Sky Sports – with Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker making their Test debuts.
Matthew Fisher and Jofra Archer are also included, while James Rew will make his debut if Jamie Smith is unable to play as he awaits the birth of his child.
England XI to play New Zealand: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith/James Rew, Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker.
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
Watch the second Test of the England vs New Zealand series live on Sky Sports from June 17.
