Joe Root backs England to defend World Cup trophy in India

England won the 50-over World Cup for the first time [Source: Twitter]

Reigning 50-overs World Champion England will head into the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 as one of the firm favourites. Former Test skipper Joe Root has backed the Jos Buttler-led side to defend their coveted title in India.

The World Cup will take place in India between October - November. Root, who forms the fulcrum of their ODI batting, has amassed 6,207 runs which include 16 tons. 

Currently playing for the Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 (ILT20) 2023, the 32-year-old to PTI stated that England, with their experience of playing in the Indian subcontinent, understands the conditions better now and can defend the trophy. 

Here's what Root said

"It's (World Cup) a great opportunity, great chance, we have not experienced it before. To defend our world title is going be a great chance for us. I think guys have spent a lot of time in India and understand those conditions well. It will depend on how we play spin consistently; how we can play in the limited number of 50-over games we have before the World Cup,"

Root, who slammed 443 runs in the ICC World Cup 2019 edition, which England won, has not been selected for their upcoming ODI tour of South Africa. 

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