JOE Root says he will not be putting too much pressure on himself as he attempts to forge a path back into the Twenty20 spotlight.

England’s Test captain is keen for more opportunities in the 20-over format, highlighted by his return to Yorkshire duty only two days after finishing England’s summer Test programme against Pakistan at Southampton on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was in line to play only his second T20 for the Vikings since late August 2016, only for rain to ruin their opening Vitality Blast clash with Nottinghamshire at Emerald Headingley last night.

Root’s last appearance for Yorkshire in T20 came when he scored 51 not out in a Roses defeat at Emirates Old Trafford in August 2018.

Since then, he has only played 11 games of T20 cricket - seven for Sydney Thunder and four for England.

He is expected to play for Yorkshire on Sunday when Derbyshire visit Emerald Headingley (2pm).

But his availability has yet to be rubber stamped because of England’s impending selection for three T20s and three ODIs against Australia next month.

“It’s disappointing we couldn’t get out there. I’ve been really looking forward to this,” he said shortly after the North Group opener against Notts was abandoned at around 7pm.

“It would be nice to be involved on Sunday, and I’m just trying to take it day by day.”

Root’s availability for last night’s clash came about because he is not involved in England’s three-match 20-over series against Pakistan at Old Trafford, which starts today.

“I’ve been desperate to play as much cricket as I can because, at the start of the summer, it didn’t feel like we were going to play any,” he continued.

“There’s uncertainty as to how much (international) cricket we’ll play this winter as well.

“There’s definitely going to be plenty of time to rest, recuperate and stay mentally fresh ahead of potentially a busy back end of the winter.

“I want to make the most of the chances we get this summer to play.

“I love coming back to play for Yorkshire. It’s a real pleasure and a joy, and I’m passionate about doing it.

“I’m trying to take these opportunities when they come, and hopefully there’ll be a few before the end of the summer.

“I’ve not had many opportunities to play T20 at all in the last couple of years.

“It’s been a little bit frustrating, but it’s been no one’s fault.

“I’m certainly not upset or disappointed or bitter about anything, it’s just the way it’s fallen.

“Probably because of it, I’ve lost my place within the England side, and that can happen in cricket.

“It would be nice to get an opportunity to play some games and try and stake a claim to force my way back into that squad.

“But it’s a very talented team, and you look at the strength within it and the players in possession, they’re all fantastic players in that format.

“It’s great to see England in such a strong position in that respect.”

Root has played 97 career Tests and 146 one-day internationals, but he has only represented England on 32 occasions in T20 cricket, including a World Cup final appearance in India in 2016.

In fact, he has only played 72 career T20 matches for all teams - Yorkshire, England or otherwise.

Asked how he sees his T20 career panning out from here, he admitted: “I don’t really know. I just want to play as much as I can.

“It all depends on what opportunities arise and where gaps come within the Test and one-day formats.

“If there are chances to play, I’ll try and get back to Yorkshire.

“Depending on the international schedule and when there will be breaks, if there’s another franchise opportunity down the line I might look at going in. But if you’re not playing the format, it’s very hard to put yourself in that shop window.

“I’ll just try and keep an open mind about it and not put too much pressure on myself when I get the opportunity to play.

“First and foremost, I’ll do all I can to win games for Yorkshire.

“I also want to enjoy the game for what it is.

“It’s nice and a refreshing change from Test match cricket to free the arms and free the mind a little bit. I’ll go with the wind on it.”

And on the possibility of playing at next October’s T20 World Cup in India, he added: “I’m not giving up on it at all, but I’m quite realistic in terms of where I am within the shake-up of things at the moment.

“I want England to do well. I want us to go to World Cups and win. If I’m not in the best eleven or the best squad, so be it.

“I’ll support whoever’s involved all the way through.

“I know how hard selection is, and if there are better options than me that’s part of international sport. I’m fully aware of that.

“But I’ll certainly do everything I can with the limited opportunities I will have to force a case.”