INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2018

We're not the perfect side but we've got every chance of getting right to the top - Root

by Rob Johnston • Last updated on

There have been a few times this week when I've asked if he's sure - Root about Cook. © Getty

Captain Joe Root says his team are on an "upward curve" after finishing their international season with a victory at The Oval which gave them a 4-1 series win over India, the number one ranked team in the world.

England wrapped up the victory with just under an hour's play remaining on day five following a 204-run stand between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant which had briefly threatened to pull off an unlikely win. However, once the home team broke that partnership, the victory came quickly enough with James Anderson picking up the final wicket, moving him to fourth on the all-time Test wicket-taking charts, and also becoming the most successful fast bowler of the format.

The 4-1 margin of victory is perhaps not a fair indication of the closeness of this series - all four games have ebbed and flowed - but it cannot be said that England have not been good value for their win. In the pivotal moments, it has been them who have come out on top and considering they were slight underdogs before the series started, it is a strong and convincing achievement.

"I think we are on an upward curve," Root told the media after play. "I do think we've shown a lot of improvement this summer. When we've had tough days and tough games, we've responded to that. We are going to have some difficult challenges ahead. This winter is going to pose a lot of different challenges to playing in these conditions but that presents a great opportunity for us to show some growth as a team."

England head to Sri Lanka in November for a three-Test series before travelling to West Indies in the new year for another three-Test rubber. They will go to Sri Lanka without Alastair Cook, who has now departed Test cricket, which adds to the doubts over the top order which have been evident in this series. Although both batting line-ups have found things troubling, Root knows it is an area England need to resolve.

"Of course you want to maximise your runs at the top of the order," Root said. "You want to get off to good starts but we've made up for that in other areas. We've been very smart down the order. Guys have stood up and taken that opportunity and made sure we got to totals to give us a chance of winning."

After sealing the series in Southampton, England were determined to finish the summer on a high at The Oval. Following a poor record in dead rubbers, their victory here was evidence of a new found ruthlessness. "It's huge for the group," he added. "Having already won the series, it's something we've got wrong in the past. The lads have delivered this week. They've been really outstanding in all departments.

"Everyone played a significant part and that's what's been really pleasing. Hopefully, now we can kick on. We are going to have different challenges in the winter. We know where we want to get to and that we are not the perfect side but if we can continue with the same drive and attitude, then we've got every chance of getting right to the top."

Anderson's 564th wicket, which came in the 14th over of a mammoth afternoon spell, took him past Australian Glenn McGrath. "What Jimmy has achieved and what he is capable of achieving still is astounding," Root said. "For him to have taken as many wickets as he has, chasing the big two spinners, is a phenomenal effort. He's probably bowling at his best. Throughout this summer, he's been outstanding. Hopefully he can keep that going."

After the conclusion of the game, when asked about the contribution of his great friend Cook, Anderson cried. It has been an emotional week and England will have to get used to being without an opener who has been the bedrock of this team for 12 years. "I said it was written in the stars and for it to turn out as it has, it's fairytale stuff for Alastair to go out like that and Jimmy at the end," Root said.

"For those two guys, who are two really close mates, they're going to miss playing together. It will be different with him not being there but it does create an opportunity for someone else now."

Given the opener scored 71 and 147, has Root tried to change Cook's mind?

"There have been a few times this week when I've asked if he's sure," the captain joked. "I'm just so pleased he can go out in real style. For it to finish how it has, is pretty special."

We've lived in each other's pockets for 12 years. It's been a privilege to play with Jimmy - Cook

"To see Jimmy pass Glenn McGrath's record today was just brilliant," Cook added. "I've played so much cricket with him and Broady. That's the hardest bit, knowing you won't play with them again. Or actually it's the easiest bit, knowing I'll never stand at first slip and drop a catch off one of them again.

"We've lived in each other's pockets for 12 years. It's been a privilege to play with Jimmy - England's greatest-ever cricketer. His skill to do it time and again. You take it for granted that he will hit his length every single time. That spell when the game was tight - he didn't miss his length once."

"Everyone was saying to me to get my hands ready, we thought the cricketing gods might give us a caught Cook, bowled Anderson one last time. I can't describe what Jimmy must go through to do what he does. At tea, he said 'I think I'm in for a long spell here'. He's the best cricketer England have ever produced. He's an absolute freak. It's been a pleasure to stand at slip for him."

© Cricbuzz

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