Joe Root has expressed his excitement at calling Trent Bridge home this weekend ahead of Trent Rockets' opener against Southern Brave. 

The England Test captain is part of a 16-strong squad at Head Coach Andy Flower's disposal, and he has already been impressed by the reception The Hundred has received since Wednesday's curtain-raiser.

“You look at the two games in London: there was a wonderful crowd, and normally when it is packed here at Trent Bridge you almost feel like the crowd are involved in the game. They are that close to the action, so I am looking forward to that,” he said. 

“Luckily enough I have played quite a lot here in international cricket, and I have always enjoyed coming here. It is usually a fantastic white-ball wicket, and as a batter that is something that excites you.

“It is also a quick outfield, and there are short pockets which hopefully we can use to our advantage.”

Despite the squad having come together in the week leading up the first game, Root has taken great pleasure in meeting new players and reuniting with old teammates. 

Trent Bridge favourite Alex Hales and Afghanistan star Rashid Khan came in for particular praise from the 30-year-old for their ability to affect the game.

“There are players from all over, and in a very short space of time you are trying to get a feel for how everyone goes about their game and get a good understanding of one another,” he said. 

“You look at Rashid’s record wherever he has gone, he has been wonderful. He is clearly one of the shining lights in white ball cricket and especially the shorter format, so this format is really tailor made for him and I am very much looking forward to playing with him and watching him have a big impact for the Rockets this season.

“Alex’s record at this ground is also outstanding. He's had a wonderful couple of years in T20 cricket wherever he has gone, and he has scored a lot of runs. I’m sure he will set this tournament alight early doors, he is a wonderful player”

Root admitted that, in the early stages of the competition, sides will be finding their feet. Few sides, he said, have been able to accelerate in the middle section of their innings, and that is something he is keen to get right. 

“I think the challenge will be setting (a target) and knowing what a good score is, but the fundamentals of the game are very similar. The more games played, the more knowledge guys will have about different periods and passages of play,” he said.

“You look at the games we have had, there is still that area where you are building up a platform to finish an innings. No one has really exploded in that middle period.

“As the tournament progresses, we will try different things and different teams will adapt. There is so much talent, and there are so many good players that can turn a game, so I don’t think it will be long until a formula is worked out.”

Root also praised the early indicators of The Hundred’s reach - in terms of both its capacity to engage new audiences and provide food for thought for those familiar with the game. 

“It’s all about growing the game as much as we can,” he said.

“You’d like to think the tournament has already made a significant impact in these first few days, so hopefully that can continue and we can engage a new audience.

“The more people participating in the wonderful sport we have, the better, so long may that continue, and hopefully it will be a gateway to people enjoying the other formats.

“I’d like to think that will happen, and people might get a slightly different view of the game if they watch cricket already.”

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