National selector Geoff Miller feels Joe Root deserves his ECB central contract due to the immediate impact he has made on the England team.
Root made his Test debut against India at Nagpur in December 2012 and displayed a cool temperament as he made 73 in his first knock to help England out of a sticky situation.
The 22-year-old has gone on to score two five-day centuries from 11 Tests, with the undoubted highlight being a magnificent 180 against Australia at Lord’s last summer.
There have probably been too many single-figure scores for his liking, but the talented right-hander averages 40.15 in the longest version of the game and is set to open the innings with skipper Alastair Cook on the upcoming Ashes tour Down Under.
Root has also excelled in the one-day game and, while he has yet to reach three figures for England, has hit four scores of more than 50 and averages a healthy 39.12 in 50-over cricket.
The jovial batsman has been rewarded for his efforts with a full central contract and will now be able to focus all his attentions on the national side and Miller, who will leave his post in the new year, hopes it is just the start of bigger things for the Sheffield-born star.
“Congratulations to Joe Root, who is the one addition to the list of players awarded a central contract,” he said.
“This reflects the important role Joe has played for England since making his international debut last year and will I’m sure continue to play across all formats.”
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