Joe Root won't blame captaincy for batting woes: "I've had a rough time in terms of scores"

England's skipper failed twice against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, leaving his 2019 average at just 27.40 with two matches of the calendar year remaining

Joe Root has insisted that the weight of captaincy has not been the cause of his batting slump, as he admitted to having a "rough time" with the bat in Test cricket.

England's skipper failed twice against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, leaving his 2019 average at just 27.40 with two matches of the calendar year remaining.

His poor form has triggered suggestions that it may be time for Root to step down from his leadership position, but the Yorkshireman is ready to tough it out and rediscover his best.

“I’ve had a rough time in terms of scores,” he said.

“I’m working hard. You have to go through a bit of a dip. The fact I’m captain, it’s an easy excuse to use.

^{Joe Root averages 27.40 in Tests in 2019}

“I’m going to have to keep trusting my game because I’ve got a lot in the bank. I must not overthink things and just try to find that rhythm which allows me to get my innings off and running.”

Root's two dismissals at Bay Oval were both tentative prods outside off stump. 

“That ball was treated with too much respect,” he said, in reference to the catch he served up to Tom Latham at gully off a mediocre delivery from Colin de Grandhomme in the second innings.

“Sometimes when you find yourself in a situation like that you can get a bit too insular, too negative, and that’s where I found myself: trying to find your way into an innings, not give anything away.”

NEW ZEALAND vs ENGLAND: 1st Test player ratings

That defensive approach has been adopted by England in response to their failure to regain the Ashes over the summer. 

“There was a period during the Ashes where we looked to try to find ways of managing on a good surface against a very disciplined attack,” Root said. “It’s evolved from that and it’s clear here that it’s a method that works.

“We want to play in a way very different to how we’ve played in our conditions and it’s going to take time. We’ve got a couple of new guys in the team, some fresh faces that are at the start of their careers, and we have to learn from these experiences.

“It’s always tough when you play abroad but if we continue to play in this manner and not be too harsh on ourselves then we will become more consistent [and] score runs more frequently. The way we played on the first day, that’s how we want to go about it. It’s a lesson that has to be learnt fast.”

Subscribe to The Cricketer this Christmas and receive a £20 John Lewis voucher or Alastair Cook's autobiography. Claim your free gift here