Joe Root has warned England must take the emotion out of their blockbuster World Cup meeting with India at Edgbaston on Sunday.
What is shaping up to be a possible must-win game for Eoin Morgan’s side will be staged at the ground that has been an English stronghold of late, given a run of nine victories across all formats in Birmingham stretching back to 2014.
World Cup organisers have said ticket sales suggest 55% of the 24,000-capacity crowd will be India supporters. Factor in the resale market, as well as the noise expected to be generated, and it could well feel like an away game.
“It’s a tasty one isn’t it?” said Root, following Tuesday’s 64-run defeat to Australia at Lord’s. “We have to be very calm about the next couple of games. They might get quite emotional, especially the atmosphere at Edgbaston.”
After India New Zealand await at Chester-le-Street on 3 July. Root described the two remaining group fixtures as a pair of “quarter-finals” and added: “It would be silly to sit and mope about – we have two opportunities now to go and qualify.
“If we embrace the challenge that is in front of us and play anywhere near our potential, we are more than capable of getting in the semis.”
Optimism is growing that Jason Roy will be fit to return on Sunday, with the opener having trained at Lord’s during the Australia defeat and the day after. The hamstring tear he suffered against West Indies a fortnight ago brings with it the risk of a relapse but with James Vince having made scores of 26, 14 and nought as a stand-in, it may be one that Morgan is willing to take.
Jofra Archer reported a tight left side before playing at Lord’s and will continue to be monitored, while Adil Rashid has soreness to the shoulder injury that has troubled him all season and has had painkilling injections.
Speaking after an event to mark the opening of the Leyton Cricket Hub – a new revamped urban cricket centre in East London – Rashid said he would “definitely” be ready to face India.
The leg-spinner, whose seven wickets so far would be greater but for dropped catches and a missed stumping, added: “The injections I have had have helped massively.”