News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

England have the talent to win the 2016 World Twenty20 – and cannot hide behind an excuse of inexperience.

That is the view of Joe Root, who says it is time for Eoin Morgan’s team to deliver on their potential by securing England’s only second global trophy in 40 years of ­limited-overs tournaments.

They head to India next March, trying to emulate the achievements of Paul Collingwood’s team of 2010.

Root exclusively told Sunday Mirror Sport: “It is a very ambitious squad of players.

“We want to win things and in international cricket you cannot sit behind the excuse of inexperience.

(Image: Gareth Copley)

“You have to put performances in, so, while we are here in the United Arab Emirates to learn, to develop and get better, we are also here to win, ultimately, and that’s what we will be looking to do.

“The one thing we have lacked in recent years is Twenty20 matches as an England team.

“This year, we have got a good block here and in South Africa and, that being the case, we can keep moving it forward.

“We took down both Australia and New Zealand last summer, which was a great effort.

Read more: England level ODI series against Pakistan

“But we don’t want to sit pretty where we are and, if we can perform well out here, there is no reason why we can’t be challenging for trophies.

“One-day cricket has changed dramatically over the last six to 12 months.

“So, for us to stay with it and not only be up there with the best teams in the world, but be the best team in the world, we are not only going to have to catch up with where others are, but get ahead of them.

(Image: Gareth Copley)

"We have got so much talent, it’s about galvanizing the side by putting it all together and into performances in the middle.

“The hardest thing might be putting it all together in the different conditions we face.

“We have to adapt to ­wherever we are asked to play one-day cricket, whether it be at home, where we seemed to be ­developing a good formula last summer, here in the UAE, in South Africa, where we go next, or India, where we head for the Twenty20 World Cup.”

And Root – who has twice made it to No.1 in the official Test batting rankings this year – insists team success far outweighs satisfaction on personal achievements.

“It is always a nice ­accolade to have, but I’d much rather have won the series against Pakistan than been top, just as I would rather we had won The Ashes 4-1 by beating Australia at The Oval,” he added.

“Rankings are completely irrelevant in comparison to getting results. Personal stuff can be a nice touch, but, ultimately, international sport’s about winning.

“You can spend the rest of your life, thinking about how good or bad you were, but, for me, it’s about doing your country a service and playing for the badge.

“If you want to simplify my goal for this winter it is to win as many games as possible, finishing with winning the World Cup.

“If I can help us get to No.1 in all formats as a team by scoring runs, then the other stuff will look after itself.”

(Image: Stu Forster)

"I like the IPL but England will always come first"

Root will consider putting his name in the next Indian Premier League auction – but insists his country always comes first.

Root, 24, is one of the England players most likely to get picked up by IPL franchises after Andrew Strauss admitted he is ready to sacrifice Test cricket’s primacy by occasionally selecting under-strength teams.

The Yorkshireman will discuss his own situation with both Strauss and England coach Trevor Bayliss at the end of the current tour of the UAE.

Root said: “It’s about trying to get the balance right. Cricket is about playing for your country and, if I am going to play IPL, it can’t impede on that.

“That means that, if I do play, I am on the top of my game mentally, come the first Test of the summer.

“If it is going to stop me from being at my best, I would have to wait until there was a bit more of a break in the calendar either before or after.

“But I do see playing at the IPL as being really important to do.

“There are so many great players to work with – and play against – and it’s a high-profile tournament with big crowds, so you get used to playing under pressure.”