WORCESTERSHIRE batting coach Kevin Sharp has revealed his pride at Joe Root becoming England Test captain - and finally intends to honour a 13-year-old agreement he made with the Yorkshire batsman.

Sharp worked closely with Root during his formative years at Headingley when part of the Tykes coaching set-up and has kept in touch with England's number three.

The pair talked in the early days about Sharp going to watch Root if and when he played for England at Lord's.

Now Root has stepped into Alastair Cook's role as skipper, Sharp is hoping to fulfil that promise this summer against South Africa in July.

He said: "You feel a lot of pride (about Root becoming captain) and Joe keeps in touch. In fact he sent me a photo the other day of his new child and a nice message.

"We had this little bit of banter of when he was young of me going to watch him to play at Lord's and I haven't been yet.

"He said that as a 13-year-old and every year he has reminded me 'I haven't been yet'.

"This could be the year. I'll see if my boss (Steve Rhodes) will let me have a day off work and perhaps the first day of the Test match at Lord's, this could be the year to go.

"I said to him two years ago 'I will come when you are captain' so now he is made captain, I've got to go haven't I! He always says he will leave me two tickets."

Sharp says that Root always remembers the people who have helped him reach the top of the cricketing tree.

He said: "The thing about Joe is he doesn't forget the people who have supported him.

"That's the good thing. He keeps in touch. A message will come through. I don't pester him at all but just occasionally, he might send a message."

Sharp, who is also Worcestershire’s Second Eleven coach, admits he relishes working with young talented players.

He said: "For me, as a coach, I've been very lucky at Yorkshire and Worcestershire, to work with some great young players.

"It's what I enjoy most and if, at the end of the day, there are players out there who say 'you made a difference to me' then I couldn't be happier really."