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Friday 11 August 2017

Joe Root paints Sheffield pink ahead of inaugural day-night Test

England cricket captain, Joe Root, returned to his hometown Sheffield today to film a promotional video for Vitality ahead of the first pink ball Test match taking place in the UK at Edgbaston next week.

Root, who is an Ambassador for health and life insurer Vitality, filmed a 30s video called “The Art of Cricket” which involved hitting pink paint-stained cricket balls onto a canvas at Abbeydale Picture House, a former cinema in the city.

The England captain completed his first series in charge this week with a 3-1 victory over South Africa who are currently ranked number two in the world. 

Vitality Ambassador Joe Root commented on the day’s activity: “Today was a great bit of fun after a tough series against South Africa. Vitality wanted to create a piece of content promoting my captaincy and the inaugural pink ball Test match at Edgbaston next week. I’m no artist, but I can hit a ball! I’m looking forward to seeing the final edit which will be released ahead of Thursday’s Test match.”

On the upcoming Edgbaston Test match, Root added: “Innovation has to be embraced, and if introducing pink ball Tests helps bring this great game to new audiences I am all for it. There is also a pink ball Test in the Ashes this winter and we are treating this Test match like any other. The Birmingham crowd are always enthusiastic, and as night falls I am sure it will be as noisy as ever, which inspires us as a team.”

Nick Read, Commercial Director at Vitality, said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Joe to create this fun piece of content. Excitement is building ahead of Thursday’s pink ball Test and I, like all cricket fans, will be watching with interest when Joe leads out England against the West Indies next week.”

The video will be available to view on Vitality's YouTube channel on Thursday 17 August. Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/livewithVitality

ENDS