Hussain has big wraps on stylish Root

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes Joe Root is the best batsman his country has ever produced.

Root showed his prowess by smashing a quickfire 83 from just 44 deliveries to help England to a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa in their World Twenty20 clash in Mumbai on Friday and Hussain was suitably impressed.

"He is the best England batsman across all forms of cricket ever," Hussain told Sky Sports after the victory.

"I know that is a big comment but can you name another batsman who could do what he does as well as him?"

Root has a total of 17 centuries for his country at Test and one-day level, but it’s his strike rate of over 140 at Twenty20 level that impresses Hussain most.

"People were asking where Root's place was in England's T20 side a while ago but he strikes it a similar rate as Jos Buttler, who is this legendary T20 player," Hussain said.

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"He just does it in a different way - with Jos you know he is striking it well, whereas with Joe he has 40 off 20 and you wonder how he has done it.

"Apart from his back, I don't think England have to wrap him up in cotton wool - (India's Virat) Kohli can cope with the pressure and stardom and Joe will learn to do the same.

"He is our best player, a star, and will only get better - these are the best years of his life."

While Root's performance against South Africa won plenty of praise, the efforts of Jason Roy (43 from 16) and Alex Hales (17 from 7) at the top of the order should not be underestimated.

The duo got England off to a great start in pursuit of South Africa's mammoth total of 4-229 and left Root to do what he does best as he guided his side home.

"It's one thing chasing 230 when it's your first game and there is another tomorrow but another when if you lose the game you are probably out," Hussain said.

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"England showed a lot of bottle and the 40-odd runs that Hales and Roy put on, which won't get much of a mention, got them off to flyer that South Africa couldn't come back from.

"The bowling was horrendous, though - England bowled too wide and South Africa bowled too straight.

"The batting in limited-over cricket has gone up exponentially - the 360 shots played are unimaginable - but the bowling is no better than it was a decade ago, perhaps because of the pressure put on bowlers by batsmen."