Blunt question sparks Root's revival

Joe Root has revealed it was the "hurt" caused when England batting coach Mark Ramprakash questioned his mental approach that inspired his career-best innings against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

Root plundered 254 in first innings of the second Test against Pakistan, before backing up with 71 not out as the hosts won by 330 runs.

It followed a below-par run from the England star, who averaged 21.75 in the Test series against Sri Lanka – although England's dominance meant he batted just four times across the three matches - and scored nine and 48 in the opener against Pakistan at Lord's.

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It was the nature of his dismissals during the defeat at Lord's that Root said led to the blunt conversation with Ramprakash.

"One thing he said was 'are you mentally in the right place to play Test cricket at the moment'?" Root said.

"I hadn't even thought about that. That sort of hurt me, that someone should say that to me.

"But I thought about it and really homed in on that during practice at Old Trafford.

"It got me in the right place. All Ramps had really said was it must be my mental approach that was letting me down because my game looked in good order and I looked comfortable out there.

"It's exactly what I needed to hear."

Root's performance saw him rocket back to second spot on the International Cricket Council's batting charts and ensured England levelled the series with two tests remaining.

He said constant shifting between formats may have played a role in his start to the English summer.

"I don't think it's a fatigue thing, it's just the way I was approaching my innings was still edging towards one-day cricket," Root explained.

"I was expecting to score in a way that didn't suit the situation and the way they were bowling. The fact Ramps picked up on that meant I was able to turn it around in a short space of time. It was nice to have a push in the right direction."

Root's knock continued the ongoing battle being waged among cricket's brightest young stars to claim the mantle of the No.1 ranked Test batsman.

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He is one of four players under 30 leading the charge, alongside current No.1 and Australia captain Steve Smith, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and India skipper Virat Kohli.

The statistics don't lie, but Root says he feels "uncomfortable" being placed in the same category as his fellow young stars.

"It's a bit bizarre, really.

"I watch those guys playing and I'm a bit in awe of some of the things they are able to do.

"It's a massive compliment to be put in that category but I wouldn't say it sits comfortably with me."

Meanwhile, England allrounder Ben Stokes has said he is "devastated" after his calf injury ruled him out of the third test against Pakistan.

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The 25-year-old tore his right calf muscle at Old Trafford in his first appearance since undergoing a knee surgery in May.

"Devastated about the injury especially with all the hard work put in by myself and others to get me back to FULL fitness," Stokes tweeted on Thursday.

But he suggested he was optimistic about returning soon, adding: "Another couple weeks of rehab and hoping to finish off what has been great summer so far for @ECB_cricket."

The England and Wales Cricket Board has said Stokes will be assessed next week.

The third test in the four-match series against Pakistan begins on August 3 at Edgbaston.