Ian Bell said that Joe Root will go down as the country’s greatest batter in Tests even if he is not able to break Sachin Tendulkar’s tremendous record of 15,921 runs.
With 12,402 runs already in the pocket, the 33-year-old Root is just 3,519 runs away from breaking Tendulkar’s record.
The statement came in an interview on the sidelines of ongoing Legend League Cricket, in which Ian Bell is leading Indian Capitals.
Recently, Root went past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to move to the sixth spot in the list of highest run-getters in the Test format.
“He's played incredibly well in the last 12 months. I don't think he's overthinking too much what's ahead. He's just sort of living in the moment as we are,” Bell said.
“To think that he can even get close to someone like Sachin, a real great of the game, someone that we've all admired growing up, as a hero to not just people and fans in India, but around the world,” he added.
“To think that Joe could get close is an amazing achievement on his behalf. He'll go down as England's greatest batsman. There's no doubt whether he does get to Sachin or not,” said the 42-year-old who played as many as 118 Tests for England.
Bell further added, that Bazball approach (attacking approach of the batting side) has unlocked talent of many current players.
“From a fan point of view, you have to look at the results. Since Brendon McCullum has come into the England side and (Ben) Stokes has took over, the results have been absolutely fantastic,” he affirmed.
“What they've managed to do with the talent that they have is to unlock some of that.... Zak Crawley's, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, they've managed to get the best out of them,” Bell added.
“I don't think you could ask cricketers like Zak Crawley or Ollie Pope to try and be an Alastair Cook or a Jonathan Trott who played in a different style, but were very successful. It's important to identify what they've got and they're adapting that as we go on now."
However, with England not featuring among contenders for World Test Championship final in the first two positions, Bell said winning away would be as important as at home in the next cycle.
“I'm sure they've got one eye on the next 12 months, which has five Test matches (against) India at home, which will be a huge challenge,” he said.
“India is probably the best team in the world at the moment, and then, Australia away. Those 10 Test matches on the road will be hugely important for that group of players and something they're gearing themselves up for,” said Bell.
“We were the last team to win in India, which was obviously (a) part of the journey to get to No 1 and we won in Australia. For this England side to get to No 1, there’s no doubt, ability and talent-wise, they have that,” he said.
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