Glamorgan's Billy Root in reflective mood after bowling ban

The 26-year-old has been ordered to overhaul his action by the ECB but it not allowing the setback to affect him.

Billy Root is remaining positive despite the Glamorgan star being banned from bowling in county cricket by the ECB after his action was deemed to be illegal.

The 26-year-old brother of England Test skipper Joe hopes to return to duties with the ball in time for the T20 Blast starting in July and is already hard at work to ensure he fits within the regulations.

Assistant coach David Harrison has been Root's main source of comfort and is helping achieve the technical adjustments required to ensure his spell without the ball is only temporary.

Sheffield-born Root is unwilling to allow the news to compromise his confidence and is steadfastly refusing to be buckled by the announcement.

"It doesn't affect me mentally," he told The Cricketer. "It is what it is. We've just got to deal with that in the best way we can. 

"It has not affected my preparation. It was something we knew might pop up and if it did we'd see to it then.

"It can sometimes feel like 'oh why me' but you've just got to deal with it the best way possible. I don't feel singled out but I can see why someone might see it that way."

Along with Harrison, Root has enjoyed ample support amid the setback including from his esteemed brother and the ECB themselves.

"Joe just said: 'Don't worry about it, you'll be alright, it is what it is and don't worry'.

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"Everyone understands what it is: it is an illegal bowling action, you can't use it in the game. 

"People have given me the support that I need and hopefully we can move on.

"The ECB were good about it as well. Everyone was perfect in terms of where I was and this is what is going to happen. Hopefully, we can get it done as soon as possible."

News of the ban broke on the opening morning of Glamorgan's County Championship Division Two clash with Derbyshire and if Root was smarting from the development he showed no signs of it during the match as he struck 68 in the first innings.

"I like to turn up and prepare the same way every game and enter it with a fresh mind as oppose to taking anything in with me," added the ex-Nottinghamshire batsman.

That half-century laid the platform for Glamorgan to go on and grab their first red-ball win of the campaign, as they successfully chased down 246 on the final day thanks to Tom Cullen's dogged 51 not out.

"Any four-day win feels great," admitted Root, who made 26 second time around. "You work so hard but it is especially satisfying when it could go either way. 

"It wasn't just wickets; the overs were going down quickly as well. It was one of the better wins of my career."

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