Root says England 'learning on the job' in ODIs after 99 not out against India
England batsman Joe Root scored 99 not out to help his team level the ODI series against India. Root expressed concerns that younger players lack sufficient experience in 50-over cricket due to the current structure of the domestic English game.
Why it matters
The article highlights a structural challenge in English cricket where the prioritization of shorter formats like The Hundred may be hindering the development of players for the 50-over ODI format.
Joe Root said his younger England team-mates were having to "learn on the job" in one-day international cricket because of a lack of experience of the 50-over games.
Veteran batsman Root, compiling his second fifty of the series, demonstrated his enduring class with a chanceless 99 not out as England beat India by four wickets in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday (July 16, 2026) to level a three-match campaign at 1-1. But before this morale-boosting win, which sets up a series decider at Lord's on Sunday (July 19, 2026), England had lost 14 of their previous 20 ODIs.
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