Joe Root remains upbeat with the Ashes looming despite confirmation that the leader of his attack, Jimmy Anderson, is not going to play in the first-ever Test against Ireland at Lord’s.
Anderson was included in the squad of 13 for this historic occasion despite acquiring a calf injury a fortnight ago. But when Root revealed England’s XI on Tuesday the name of Anderson was missing. He joins other pace bowlers, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, on the sidelines and his absence allows Olly Stone of Warwickshire to make his Test debut.
This is far from ideal with the first Test against Australia at Edgbaston only nine days away. But Root was hardly a picture of despondency as he resumed his captaincy duties – partly because he expects Anderson to be fit for the first Ashes Test.
“Jimmy probably would have been able to get through this match [against Ireland] but we’re just making sure that he’s absolutely ready,” Root said. “We thought the last thing we want is him carrying a niggle, so we have tried to be sensible about it and to give him as much time to be 100% going into the Ashes series. We’re very confident that he’ll be fit.”
The prognosis for Wood is not so cheerful: at best he might have recovered from his side strain by the fourth Test. But the news of Archer is more optimistic. He has been taking some time out back in Barbados and returns to England on Wednesday. Root said they had been monitoring him closely– though not as closely as some enterprising photographers in Bridgetown. “He is doing everything he can to be ready for the first Test at Edgbaston.”
However, the England captain is mindful that Archer has never played a Test and that he needs to be fully fit before he starts his international career with a red ball. “Coming off the back of a World Cup he’s shown that he can perform in international cricket and his record is good with Sussex with the red ball. Of course, you want as many options as possible going into the Ashes. Most importantly for someone like Jofra you have to be sure he is right and ready to go.”
In the absence of Archer and Wood, Stone will provide the pace against Ireland. Stone toured Sri Lanka last winter, where he made his one-day international debut. This summer, after recovering from a back problem, he has played only two first-class matches for Warwickshire so his inclusion, ahead of Somerset’s Lewis Gregory, is a bit of a punt as well as a fact-finding expedition. Truly fast bowers excite, as Root acknowledged: “He [Stone] brings an extra bit of pace to this group, something different to turn to. It’ll be a good opportunity to see him play this week.”
There will be one other England debutant, though that has long been foreshadowed. Jason Roy, after his dazzling exploits in the World Cup, makes his Test debut and his captain does not want him suddenly to batten down the hatches. “I just want him to be himself, to express himself and to trust his instincts.” Roy’s presence at the top of the order is a good reason to turn up on time.
Another is to witness a bit of cricketing history as Ireland play their first ever Test against England. “They have absolutely earned the right to play Tests,” said Root.
Meanwhile his opposite number, William Porterfield, who was once on the groundstaff at Lord’s, said leading his team out on to the hallowed turf would be “a special moment”, rather more so than handing out match programmes to spectators almost two decades ago. And yes, the Irish squad had been watching and cheering Shane Lowry on the big screen in the team room at their hotel.
