Yorkshire batsman Root has chance to make an impression (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Yorkshire batsman Joe Root has chance to make England impression

9:10am Friday 10th February 2012 in Sport By Graham Hardcastle

Yorkshire and England Lions opener Joe Root was in confident mood as he geared up to face Headingley team-mates Tim Bresnan and Jonny Bairstow in a one-day match in Abu Dhabi today.

The right-hander was set to line up for the Lions against the England senior side as they warm up for their forthcoming series against Pakistan.

The contest gave Bresnan the perfect opportunity to prove his fitness after a persistent elbow problem.

If Root was able to shine against Bresnan, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, he would push himself closer to full international honours.

After the Test series horror show against spin, a number of England’s batsmen are under pressure and Root’s name has been mentioned as a possible replacement after an encouraging winter.

He scored 81 in a one-day match against Bangladesh A last month before notching an unbeaten 110 against Sri Lanka A earlier this week.

But the 21-year-old batsman is not surprisingly refusing to look too far ahead as he builds a career.

“I’m just enjoying the cricket and looking forward to the game,” said Root after helping the Lions to a 3-2 series win in Sri Lanka.

“It’s nice to score a few runs and to finish on a high was quite nice.

“I just want to make the most of the opportunity. When you work hard for six weeks and score runs, it’s a nice feeling.”

Meanwhile, Root’s younger brother Billy – a 19-year-old all-rounder – has been handed a place on the MCC Young Cricketers programme for 2012.

He will be based at Lord’s and will also tour the UAE next month. He could face Lancashire and Sussex in friendlies.