BIRMINGHAM (United Kingdom): Joe Root (pic) is determined the “spicy” nature of England’s latest clash with Australia won’t prove a distraction when the arch rivals meet for a place in the World Cup final.
Tournament hosts England and reigning champions Australia will lock horns in Thursday’s second semi-final at Edgbaston in a fixture that takes place just weeks before the start of the Ashes series between the old foes.
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has already done his best to unsettle England by insisting “it’s their World Cup to lose”.
But Root, a member of the England side that lost to Australia in the group stage, told reporters at Edgbaston on Monday:
“Nathan has a lot to say, a lot of the time, so you just take it with a pinch of salt.
“It might be a way of taking pressure off himself and his team. I try not to get too involved to be honest.” – AFP
