Optimistic for home test season against Pakistan, West Indies: Joe Root

LONDON (AFP): England skipper Joe Root has said that he was “very optimistic” for home test season against Pakistan and West Indies.

In an interview today (Friday), Joe Root said, “I think a number of people are desperate to see live sport back on television and the guys are missing playing and would love to get back out there.”

Root also praised the recent input of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) medics as he stressed, “Safety is paramount and we need to make sure everyone involved is absolutely safe.”

“I’m sure the discussions will progress and we’ll get more information and get closer and closer to cricket being back on and international cricket being played,” he added.

On the other hand, England fast bowler Mark Wood has said he and his teammates were “desperate” to return to the field. “I think everybody in the squad, as long as the conditions are right, would be willing to come back and play some cricket,” he added.

Mark Wood said, “We’re desperate to get going. I know it would be a long stint and it would be hard but it would be good to get back out there at the same time.”

With Britain currently in lockdown because of the coronavirus, a three-Test series against the West Indies scheduled for June has been postponed, and with Pakistan the has now been delayed until July 1 at the earliest.