As Joe Root was caressing the ball to every part of the Trent Bridge ground I overheard a group of lads in the Radcliffe Road End discussing whether Root was really as good as stats are suggesting.

The argument came about as the discussion surrounding KPs exclusion from English cricket became loud enough for all to hear. “Root is a pleasure to watch and is technically very strong however he just churns boring runs out time after time”.

I heard one of them say. “KPs flamboyancy brings crowds out and makes you want to watch”. That made me ask the question will Joe Root score as many Test runs by the time he reaches the age in which Kevin Pietersen was discarded from the England team.

It is an intriguing question and one which all cricket fans will be watching closely as Joe Root continues to light up Englands cricketing future in all formats, including an eye catching display in todays ODI.