VIDEO: Sports Personality snub is bad for cricket, says England star Joe Root

England star Joe Root fears being overlooked for the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist could be bad news for the sport of cricket.
Joe Root plants a kiss on the Ashes urnJoe Root plants a kiss on the Ashes urn
Joe Root plants a kiss on the Ashes urn

Root, from Sheffield, was not included in the 12-person shortlist for the BBC's annual award - a decision which attracted a large amount of criticism.

The England vice-captain has enjoyed a stunning 12 months; he hit 460 runs and was named Man of the Series as England regained the Ashes, and broke the record for England runs in a calendar year. He also became the youngest England player ever to hit a World Cup century, and is currently joint top of the world batting rankings.

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Even those achievements, though, were not enough to earn him a nomination alongside the likes of Tyson Fury, Sheffield's own Jessica Ennis-Hill and swimmer Adam Peaty.

And Root - launching his new book, Bringing Home the Ashes - told The Star: "The 12 nominees have all done amazing things in their own right, in their own sport.

"The only thing for me is that it's disappointing for cricket.

"Look at the great achievements there's been this year; Jimmy Anderson beat Sir Ian Botham's wickets record, Alastair Cook overtook Graham Gooch's Test runs record and Stuart Broad took 8-15 against Australia at Trent Bridge, and took 50 wickets in a year.

Joe Root plants a kiss on the Ashes urnJoe Root plants a kiss on the Ashes urn
Joe Root plants a kiss on the Ashes urn
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"In all honestly, I'm probably fourth on the list from my sport alone!

"But seriously, as ambassadors of the sport we need to keep encouraging players, young boys and girls, to keep playing the sport and keep up the interest.

"I know from a personal point of view, cricket is still as enjoyable as it was for me as a kid so I can't worry too much about being overlooked.

"All we can do, as England players, is keep going as we did this summer.

Root has had a stunning 12 months - but was overlooked for the SPOTY shortlistRoot has had a stunning 12 months - but was overlooked for the SPOTY shortlist
Root has had a stunning 12 months - but was overlooked for the SPOTY shortlist
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"Get out there, play to the best of our ability and do everything we can to be good role models for the kids watching."

After Fury became the new heavyweight champion of the world, and bookies' favourite Andy Murray helped Great Britain win the Davis Cup, the shortlist was extended from 10 to 12 by a panel of experts.

Panel chair Barbara Slater, the BBC's director of sport, said: "As always, there was a lot of debate and discussion amongst the industry panel when deciding the final list of nominees. The panel was faced with some incredibly tough choices.

"All nominees have achieved exceptional success in their respective fields in the past year and we wish each of them the best of luck."