ICC World Cup 2019 | England have two quarterfinals ahead of them, believes Joe Root

As the World Cup nears its business end, things aren’t quite as clear as they looked like a week ago. It seemed almost certain that Australia, India, England and New Zealand would be the semifinalists at the 2019 edition, but the tides have turned. Australia guaranteed their semifinal spot but the other results during the week leave the three other spots wide open. 

Joe Root’s England face India on Sunday, and New Zealand later in the week. He believes that it doesn’t matter how the team gets through but admits that the hosts have two potential quarterfinals-like clashes ahead of them. 

"We believe we're still more than capable of qualifying for the semi-finals and that's when the tournament really starts to kick in. We'll see these two games as quarter-finals if you like, which in a way when it comes round to the knockout stage should serve you well,” Root was quoted as saying by AFP.

Sure enough, the England Test captain expects his fellow teammates to keep a cool head but Root knows clearly what the team has done wrong in the past games. 

"We haven't necessarily adapted as well as we could have. It is frustrating and very disappointing that we have played in the manner we have in the last two games,” Root was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Given all their performances, England have slowly built the reputation of being a one-dimensional side, or in other words, flat track bullies. Former cricketer Geoffrey Boycott was quick to point out the lack of versatility displayed by the English batsman. Root, himself in a decent run of form, admits openly that they have been surprised by the conditions at times. 

"We have turned up to some venues in this tournament and things have been quite different to when we have played one-day series there in the past,” Root said.