England and Root are the ‘smiling’ assassins

Kolkata

The batsman says the team “can’t stop smiling” as they prepare to face West Indies on Sunday at the Eden Gardens. Victory for England will provide the ultimate vindication of team chief Andrew Strauss’ pledge to give white ball cricket equal priority with Tests.

In just a year, England have morphed from prehistoric thinkers to an all-out attacking force.

Root, 25, said: “You can’t beat occasions like this. As a kid, you dream of opportunities to play in a World Cup final.

“Every time over the past couple of days that I’ve looked round the dressing room or the lads on the bus or the flight here, they’ve been smiling. Everyone is so excited and can’t wait to get out there. I’ve seen plenty of big games at Eden Gardens on TV. Every game here so far has been rocking so let’s hope it will be on Sunday.”

When England played the 1987 World Cup final Mike Gatting was caught playing a reverse sweep off part-time spinner Allan Border.

It changed the game and Gatting was pilloried. Now, of course, such shots are normal and no England player would face repercussions if it brought about his dismissal.

Root added: “The captain and management have been very calm and positive — that’s a massive factor in how we’ve got here.”

It is remarkable to think England, having lost their opening game to West Indies and conceded 229-4 to South Africa in their second, were virtually on the plane home. Their transformation since then has been astonishing. Root added: “The best thing is that everyone has  contributed. Going into a final, it means there are other guys you could call upon if things aren’t going to plan.”

Root has a critical role to play. He is England’s leading run-scorer in the tournament and he is one of those who bats with brains rather than trusting in pure instinct. Unlike some his bat possesses a handbrake.

“I’ve felt pretty good through the whole competition,” Root said. “It’s about putting in one more strong performance and adapting to the situation when we get out there.”

Throughout the tournament England have had to face some dire situations, the necessity to chase 230 against South Africa and then to recover from being 57 for six against Afghanistan. “We’ve found ways of winning games,” Root said. “We’ve found ourselves in a number of situations and overcome them. It means that whatever happens on Sunday we’ve got some experiences to call on.”

For Root it has been critical this young England side have stuck with their aggressive, fearless outlook. “We made sure we did not go away from how we wanted to play and approach our cricket. Having that self-belief in each other meant we could get that win against South Africa and build confidence from there,” he said