JOE ROOT has made prodigious progress as English cricket’s brightest young thing - but he is still lagging behind the rest of his family in one important respect.

The 22-year-old Yorkshireman is hoping to put that right too next week, when he becomes the third Root in a matter of days to play at Lord’s.

The England Lions captain is an obvious choice to help man the middle order in the first Test against New Zealand at HQ, after his prolific early-season run-making for his county – not to mention a winter in which he made his international debut in all three formats.

When it comes to taking the field at Lord’s, though – unless you count a short stint as 12th man for Yorkshire – Root’s dad Matt and younger brother Billy have both got there before him.

Just last week on the hallowed turf, the other Roots turned out on opposing sides for the MCC and MCC Young Cricketers.

As for the Lions captain, preparing at Leicester for a fourday match starting against the Kiwis today, he has been restricted so far to a bit-part or spectator role.

‘‘I’ve never played there,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve been there a couple of times – I’ve been to watch, and I was 12th man once for Yorkshire.

‘‘My dad and my brother played there last week, so I’m a bit jealous of those two.

‘‘My dad came out to bat, and my brother was bowling. But I think he got out the other end, before he got a chance (to get him). So they’ve played at Lord’s before me.’’