Joe Root will play the anchor role and be that glue for England in the summer: Michael Vaughan

Joe Root. (Photo Source: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan was full of praise for Joe Root after he scored a century on Day 1 of the ongoing Ashes 2023  at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Root hammered an unbeaten 118 off 152, including seven boundaries and four maximums, before skipper Ben Stokes declared at 393/8 on Day 1 (June 16).

Vaughan said that England appear to look easy on the field when Root is batting, mentioning his six against Australia pacer Scott Boland. The 48-year-old added that the top-order batter is playing a brand of cricket with the backing of his team which is absolutely exciting.

“When he plays, he makes it look so easy. To scoop Scott Boland at 95 mph for a six, he makes it look so easy. That’s probably one of the most ridiculous shots, that if we try to play would just balloon in the air. He’s playing a brand of cricket which is exciting and the team is allowing him to do that,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

What I liked about his innings what that he played the Joe Root way: Vaughan

Vaughan went on to say that he liked his innings because he played in his own style. According to the 48-year-old, his running between the wickets with keeper-batter Jonny Bairstow was excellent. He added that if Root can be consistent, he will be the anchor and the glue that holds England cricket this summer.

“What I liked about his innings what that he played the Joe Root way. He’s always busy, he’s always hard to set fields for. The running between the wickets with Bairstow was outstanding. If he can be consistent, which he will be at number four, Joe Root will play the anchor role and be that glue for England in the summer,” the former England skipper added.

During Australia’s innings, opener Usman Khawaja (141 off 321) scored a ton before being bowled out for 386 by the hosts. Apart from Khawaja, Travis head and keeper-batter Alex Carey also played crucial knocks for the Pat Cummins-led side, scoring 50 and 66 runs, respectively.