Michael Atherton reveals why Joe Root has been so successful this season

England skipper Joe Root seems to be in scintillating form. The right-hander stroked a brilliant unbeaten 180 in the second Test at Lords to put England in a great positing against India. This was Root’s second consecutive century and fifth overall this season. Former English cricketer Mike Atherton is in awe of Joe Root’s magnificent form and said he is reaping benefits for all the hard work he did in the lockdown. Atherton revealed Root had asked the analyst to send all his dismissals in the last five years and worked on the flaws during the time away from the game.

“I think this is a reward for some incredible work he did in lockdown. It came at a time when he was 29 and had already had a fantastic career,” Atherton told ‘Sky Sports’.

“But it just gave him an opportunity to rest, where he’s said ‘I’ve got the second half of my career to come and I can go from being a very, very fine player to one of the all-time greats."

“He asked the analyst to send him every dismissal from the last five years or so, looked at it in great detail and tried to work out where he could go from there. He’s reaping the rewards of that,” he added.

Root started the season with a double hundred and a hundred in two matches against Sri Lanka before backing it up with another double century against India. The hattrick of centuries was followed by a string of low scores on Indian dustbowls. The skipper then had average outings against New Zealand. However, he has looked far more assured in the ongoing series.

Meanwhile, the second Test between England and India is evenly poised. England were bowled out for 391 on Day 3, having a slender lead of 27. The wicket has started deteriorating and batting on Day 4 and 5 won't be easy. India will be eyeing to set a target of around 300 for England to win.