Billy Seeks Route To More Regular Cricket At Glamorgan

Billy Root’s move to Glamorgan has been made in order to re-fresh his career, according to Nottinghamshire coach Mick Newell.

Root, younger brother of England skipper Joe, has signed for Glamorgan for next season – a switch that appears to make him a replacement for the departed batsman Aneurin Donald.

Young England prospect Donald announced he was quitting the Welsh county because he felt his Test match prospects would be much improved at Hampshire, but Root’s ambitions are more modest.

The 26-year-old, who averages over 30 in all three formats of the game, has struggled for consistent selection at Notts, who have already recruited additional talent for next season.

By dropping down from Division One to Two for next season, Root hopes to play more cricket and help try to lift Glamorgan’s own achievements after another wretched campaign that has prompted an external review.

“We’re sad to see Billy go but understand that he wants more regular playing opportunities, something which has been hard to come by over the past year,” said  Newell.

“He has the ability to play in all three formats, as he has shown during his time with us and I am sure he will relish his new challenge with Glamorgan.”

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Root made over 1000 runs in his two seasons at the club, including centuries in both first-class and List A cricket. His 133 alongside Chris Read in the final game of the 2017 season against Sussex, helped secure promotion from Division Two of the Championship and saw the Sheffield-born batsman sign his first professional deal.

Root, said: “I’m really excited to join Glamorgan and to play at Sophia Gardens.

“When I spoke to Hugh he talked a lot about the club’s strategy to develop a young and exciting team and it’s something I’m really excited to be part of.

“Last season wasn’t a great one for the club but there is a lot of talent here and I believe I can make a big contribution to the side over the next few seasons and help us push for silverware in white-ball cricket, while we look to improve our results in the County Championship.”

Glamorgan director of cricket Hugh Morris said: “We are thrilled to secure the signing of Billy Root for the next two seasons.

“Over the course of the campaign it became apparent we needed to supplement our batting stocks and in Billy we have signed a player who is still young but has experience playing Division One cricket and is hungry to succeed.

“He can play across all three formats which makes him an ideal signing for the club and he will be a fantastic addition to the dressing room.”