Joining root

T20 World Cup: Joe Root is all set to play in the second round of the County Championship this week against Gloucestershire, marking his first red-ball outing for Yorkshire in nearly two years.

Root's absence from the domestic scene since May 2022 has been felt keenly, his sporadic appearances in T20 cricket and the Hundred unable to quench the thirst of the Yorkshire faithful. Now, with the Ashes and subcontinent tour behind him, Root's focus shifts back to the traditional format, where his elegant stroke play and astute leadership promise to reignite Yorkshire's fortunes.

Root will play the next four rounds after missing the initial match against Leicestershire due to the two-month tour of India. The seventh round, which starts on May 24, will take place away from home in Northamptonshire. The 33-year-old, who had resigned as Test captain, had not played first-class cricket for his home county since May 2022 against Warwickshire.