England batting coach Graham Thorpe welcomes selection dilemma caused by Joe Root form
Last Updated: February 23, 2013 11:15am
Thorpe (R): Happy with selection dilemma caused by form of Joe Root (L)
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England batting coach Graham Thorpe admits the impressive form of Joe Root has given the selectors a welcome headache.
Yorkshire batsman Root has impressed in international cricket since making his Test debut against India in Nagpur barely two months ago.
He has since begun to establish himself in the limited overs formats of the game, hitting a career-best 79 not out to help England secure a series-levelling eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Napier during the current ODI series.
Kevin Pietersen will also return to action in the near-future having been rested for the current series but Thorpe is enthused by the competition for places within the camp.
"It's great to have a world-class player who can come back into your side," he said.
"I always think competition is very important at this level, and to have young players putting senior players under pressure is a good thing as well - because then you get the best out of those seniors.
"If England want to be competitive in all three formats, then we need that depth."
Thorpe was also quick to offer words of caution for Root, despite his swift progress at the top level.
"Joe's a quick learner. He's got a good temperament, good character and he's a good player," added Thorpe. "But it's early, and I think there should always be an edge of caution with young players."
"I think he's a pretty level-headed bloke, which is important, and I think he's improved a lot in the last six months.
"At the moment, it's all gone pretty well for him. He seems to have embraced the environment, and fits in very well."
