England Test skipper Joe Root has played down concerns over his form with the bat, saying that his experience and record give him confidence that he will find a way to bat through the difficult patch. He has crossed 50 only twice in this home summer and averages 29.44, which is his second-lowest home season average since making his international debut 14 years ago. Moreover, he has been dismissed LBW nine times in his last seven Tests, including seven times this summer as well.

“I’ve played this game a long time and I’ve always found ways of solving those problems and working it through,” Root told the BBC after the Lord’s Test against Pakistan. “I don’t see this as being any different. There’s a reason why I’ve got 14,000 runs and a reason why I’ve played the best part of 15 years at this level.”

“Of course it’s frustrating that there’s sort of a trend. There are probably four umpires’ calls within that, which could have gone the other way, and the ball is probably deviating more than it ever has. You try and be realistic and understand where everything’s at, but also be aware of what you need to do to keep improving and keep getting better. I’m pretty sure I’ll get through the other side. I’m not too concerned about that,” he again shared.

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“You’re never given anything in this game,” Root said again. “You have to work for everything. You have to keep working hard and I’ll certainly keep doing that. You’re constantly going to get challenged and you’re constantly going to have to look to evolve and learn, but that’s never been something I’ve shied away from and I certainly won’t be doing moving forward.”

Joe Root also said that the ball itself may have contributed to the batting conditions in England this summer. He added what he felt was a change in the Dukes ball from last season, when both England and India asked for ball change multiple times over their series, especially in the first three Test matches as well.

“The balls have been different this summer. I think there is a different lacquer. They were worried about it going out of shape. They are denting surfaces more,” he concluded. “It’s important that we’re not talking about that, absolutely. It’s hard to win Test matches, it’s hard to win Test series. Enjoy it and celebrate it, but in a sensible and grown-up way.”