Cricket World Cup: Joe Root says England must trust they are still 'best team in the world'

By Stephan ShemiltBBC Sport

Last updated on 26 June 2019.From the section Cricket565

Joe Root says England must trust that they are still "the best team in the world" in order to get their World Cup campaign back on track.

Back-to-back losses mean they may have to beat both India and New Zealand to avoid going out.

"We have to stay calm, look at the things we know will make us a better team and will put us back to our best," Root told BBC Sport.

"We must trust that when we do that, we are the best team in the world."

England have dominated in 50-over cricket since the last World Cup, beginning this tournament as favourites and the top-ranked team.

But Tuesday's 64-run defeat by Australia at Lord's followed a shock 20-run reverse against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday.

Those results, along with a loss to Pakistan earlier in the tournament, have left England fourth in the 10-team group.

They are under pressure from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for a place in the semi-finals and, depending on results of matches involving those teams, will have to win one or both of their games against India on Sunday and New Zealand next Wednesday.

With the destiny still in their own hands, Root says that believing they are four wins from being world champions is a "great way" of viewing their current situation.

"If we win these last two games, you could argue that we'll be in the best possible position when the semi-finals start," he added.

The successive defeats came after a win against Afghanistan in which captain Eoin Morgan hit 17 sixes and England a total of 25, both ODI records.

At that stage, they were top of the table.

"Things change very quickly in tournament cricket. Look at where we were sat a week ago. Now, we're being written off," said Yorkshire batsman Root.

"It's a great opportunity to prove a few people wrong and play in the way we know we can against two strong opposition."

Sunday's game against India will be a challenge both on and off the field for England.

Not only have India been perhaps the most impressive team in the tournament so far, but they are likely to have the majority of the crowd support at Edgbaston.

"It's a tasty one, isn't it?" said Root. "I'm really looking forward to it. With it being ramped up even more, it makes it even more mouth-watering for me.

"We'll have a day to reflect on the Australia game, maybe take some frustration out and be a little bit emotional.

"When we come back together and practise, we'll enjoy the two training days. We'll get revved up for a really big game on Sunday and harness what is now the business end of a very exciting World Cup in England."

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565 comments

Comment posted by John Jones, at 18:08 26 Jun 2019
Best in the world does not lose to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia.
Comment posted by Ken Finewell, at 18:10 26 Jun 2019
This and the Morgan interview are part of the problem. Flat track bullies when batting on roads, when the game situation and pitch dictates caution, these braindead sluggers are still trying to hit it 90m.
They would have won comfortable against Sri Lanka & Australia if anyone else had read the game like Stokes and batted conservatively. You cannot gift 4+ wickets an innings playing crazy shots
Comment posted by Blue Triangles, at 18:10 26 Jun 2019
The issue with that is they're not the best in the world. You need smart Cricketers to be the best; ones that can adapt to different situations.

Imagine India losing 3 games from 7 at home. It just wouldn't happen.
Comment posted by gooner7, at 18:36 26 Jun 2019
The top teams like India adapt to every condition and win. England play the same no matter what which separates from the very best.
Comment posted by User0428147780, at 19:04 26 Jun 2019
I think Joe Root should have waited till after the World Cup to launch his stand-up career.
Comment posted by DavetheWave, at 19:27 26 Jun 2019
Here we go again, "best team in the world".
The arrogance is so embarrassing.
Comment posted by Itsthetruth-honest, at 21:18 26 Jun 2019
Even in a simple interview on cricket, the BBC misquotes and falsifies headlines.

Astonishing!

Joe Root says that if they play to their potential i.e "We have to stay calm, look at the things we know will make us a better team..... we must trust that when we do that, we are the best team in the world."

He did not say:

England must trust they are still 'best team in the world'

BBC ha
Comment posted by Blue Triangles, at 18:16 26 Jun 2019
If England lose to India and New Zealand then I don't want them to qualify for the semi-finals by relying on other results. That's totally pathetic and unacceptable for the number 1 ranked side in the world playing in home conditions. No......if they lose both games, I hope they go out.
Comment posted by Tony ratcliffe, at 19:32 26 Jun 2019
Yes Joe the talent is there but
1. We can't read our own pitches
2. Morgan never once told bowlers to alter length
3. Selections rubbish. Root shud always have replaced Roy at top. Plunkett for Moeen on last pitch was blatantly obvious.
It's crap decisions and management messing things up. The talent is there
Comment posted by BlueMoon, at 18:13 26 Jun 2019
We have been poor at bowling/fielding and at times pathetic at batting when facing a low average chase.

However, home advantage doesnt come into it when the ICC are preparing the pitches. Also, games against Asian nations can seem like an away game crowd wise.
Comment posted by ventidiusbassus, at 20:30 26 Jun 2019
Sadly, having watched England trying to succeed for close on 50 years and failing, many of those of us have already written them off. We are not good enough in vital 'crunch' games. It's the same with the men's world football. It's no surprise English cricket is not a world force as it's hardly played in schools (except private ones) and no longer even on terrestrial tv.
Comment posted by Pip, at 20:12 26 Jun 2019
Unfortunately no one bothered to tell the rest that we were the best in the world, now all of a sudden reality has taken a check...........?
Comment posted by Joba 1, at 19:54 26 Jun 2019
Whatever others may say, Eng have, for the last few years, been the best one day side in the world. Undoubtedly. They have dominated the limited overs game. However, being the best between major tournaments wins you nothing. It’s a problem the NZ AB’s used to suffer from. They sorted it out, now Eng need to. Root is right to remain positive, but I think they are mentally shot. No SF spot I fear.
Comment posted by U16912552, at 19:59 26 Jun 2019
We were good, when Roy and Hales were around, and when Archer was a West Indian whilst Willey and Plunkett were doing an excellent job for years, and yet suddenly…………here's the world cup and all FOUR of them are not playing.
You wonder where it is going wrong? I'll give you a clue. Archer is a rabbit with the bat, Willey and Plunkett are a monster with it, and don't get me started on Vince.
Comment posted by charlie, at 18:14 26 Jun 2019
If they have to pick Vince they are not even in the top 5
Comment posted by Tales of the Valleys, at 19:47 26 Jun 2019
England are only in the top 4 at the moment because the Sri Lanka v Bangladesh and Sri Lanka v Pakistan games were abandoned, otherwise they would be lucky to be in 6th place at the moment. Root needs a reality check.
Comment posted by Herbie, at 20:11 26 Jun 2019
Before the tournament ex players all saying how great the England team are we have the best batters...best bowlers...best all rounders they said that they fear no one and who would they play in the s/f before a ball was bowled talk about arrogance typical England in all sports
Comment posted by Solraven, at 18:10 26 Jun 2019
We may be the best in the world, but we still need to pick the right team. Picking both wood and archer on a slow seamer was not a good idea (esp as archer was struggling). Not playing plunkett when he has be so good is not good either and both moeen and rashid have forgotten how to bat. We cant just expect to pick the same team regardless of the wicket/conditions.
Comment posted by BeeBeeSee, at 19:39 26 Jun 2019
Part of Eng's homework should be to watch Pak chase down a modest total v NZ. Their No3 anchors the innings with a steady ton, importantly seeing them home. Not getting in then out cheaply chasing a wide ball or flaying one to a boundary fielder. Their No4 chips in with a useful 30. And their No5 stuck around almost to the end. Sensible batting, building partnerships. Not exposing their bowlers.
Comment posted by Leo, at 18:36 26 Jun 2019
Do they really believe they are the best, rather than "good enough to win"? It might sound silly to suggest just changing the words would make a difference, but there is a huge disparity in mental attitude between the 2.

I believe Eng are in a bubble and aren't being honest with themselves. They're so indoctrinated in believing in their "brand" they can't see it's flaws.