“Coldplay can’t be number one every week” – Joe Root after losing ENG vs SL 2024 3rd Test

England’s talismanic batter Joe Root feels it is not possible to win every week, just like a renowned music band like Coldplay can’t be number one every week. England lost the third Test match against Sri Lanka at Kennington Oval, London by eight wickets.

Sri Lanka successfully chased down 219 runs, with opener Pathum Nissanka scoring an unbeaten knock of 127 runs. This was also the highest successful run-chase by an Asian team while playing in English conditions.

Meanwhile, Root had an unbelievable series against the visitors, scoring 375 runs in three Test matches at an average of 75. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Series for his consistent performances.

Root said in the post-match presentation, “We are not always going to get it right all of the time. For 90% of the summer we have. We have shown what a good team we can be. I don’t think we played our best cricket this week and that is going to happen from time to time. Coldplay can’t be number one every week.”

Root admitted that the team is constantly improving and evolving as a group to get the desired results.

“We have played some really good cricket along the way. We have had new faces come into the team and some really exciting prospects off the back of that. We are constantly learning and evolving as a group and it is nice to contribute to that. It is important we are authentic to what we are as a team and what brings out the best in our individual players.”

England was outplayed in the third Test match by the tourists and their second innings, in which they were skittled out for 156 runs, led to their downfall.

England will next take on arch-rivals Australia in three T20Is and five ODIs while playing at home.