Cricket World Cup 2023: England's Joe Root targets 2027 tournament with no plans to quit ODIs
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Malan shines as England comfortably beat Bangladesh
Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, England v Afghanistan |
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Venue: Delhi Date: Sunday, 15 October Time: 09:30 BST |
Coverage: Live Test Match Special radio and text commentary on every match on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra & BBC Sport website, plus desktop, tablets, mobiles and app. In-play video clips available to UK users. |
England batter Joe Root says he has no plans to retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup and is aiming to play in the next tournament in 2027.
Only four of England's 15-man squad are under the age of 30, with some expected to end their one-day careers after the ongoing event in India.
"I'd love to still be playing in four years' time," said 32-year-old Root.
"The landscape is forever changing, but I can't see myself not being there unless I'm not good enough."
Former Test captain Root is England's all-time leading run-scorer in international cricket and behind only Eoin Morgan in one-day internationals.
He is one of nine England players at this World Cup who were part of the squad that lifted the trophy on home soil in 2019.
Of those, all-rounder Ben Stokes came out of one-day retirement to play in India, while many of the others and Dawid Malan, who did not play in 2019, will be in their late 30s by the time of the next tournament in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Asked if he had any plans to retire from ODIs, Root added: "No. I'll get pushed before."
Root has made scores of 77 and 82 in England's first two World Cup games, an opening defeat by New Zealand and victory over Bangladesh respectively.
The holders meet Afghanistan in Delhi on Sunday, knowing victory will take them into the top four of the group table.
"Every team in this tournament poses slightly different threats," said Root. "We've got to be really adaptable to be able to combat that.
"We've just got to look to keep getting better. We weren't where we wanted to be in the first game but we were considerably better in the last game against Bangladesh.
"This is another opportunity for us to take another big stride forwards and keep building that momentum towards the business end of this tournament, and making sure we are where we need to be by the back end."
England pace bowler Chris Woakes has been struggling with illness, while Stokes has not played in either of the opening two games because of a hip problem. Both were able to train in Delhi on Saturday.
"Woakesy is on the bus today which is a great sign," said Root. "Ben seems to be getting better day by day. He trained really well last night. He had a bat and seems to be improving. All good signs ahead of tomorrow."
Afghanistan are coached by former England batter Jonathan Trott. In five previous meetings with England - three T20s and two ODIs - they are yet to register a win.
They have lost their opening two games in India, to Bangladesh and the hosts.
"This side's got the ability to upset anyone," said Trott. "We've been so close in previous matches. It's just about getting over the line and making sure that we do.
"We'll have an opportunity to put pressure on England and we've got to make sure we do that."