Joe Root could very well be included in England’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The second-highest ODI run-scorer for the nation wasn’t selected for the upcoming 50-over series against Australia. But chief selector Luke Wright has confirmed that Root is still very much in the scheme of things.
- Highest run-scorer and wicket-taker in Big Cricket League 2024
- Mumbai Marines win inaugural Big Cricket League, defeat Suresh Raina’s SS by 7 wickets
Root is undeniably the greatest ODI batter England has ever had, and his non-selection for the 5-match ODI home series raised a few eyebrows. The former Test skipper has had a hectic season and still has two matches to play against Sri Lanka before he jets off to Pakistan in October.
“He’s given a lot to English cricket. There’s no reason why he can’t then come into the major tournament, we know how important Joe is to the England team. He also offers us [something] with the ball as well, and there’s not many that do that. With someone like Joe, we’ve got to look after him, we don’t want him to burn out,” Luke Wright said in a press conference at Lord’s on August 27.
Root wasn’t at his best in the 2023 ODI World Cup and averaged 30. Since he’s already committed to playing for the Paarl Royals in the SA20, he might miss the ODIs against India later in early 2025. Given that it’ll be the last series before the Champions Trophy, the ECB might ask Root to skip the SA20 and play for England instead.
