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Joe Root is preparing to take on the role of England’s Test captain once again, stating that he approaches this second tenure from a very different mindset compared to when he stepped down four years ago. Initially appointed in 2017, Root captained England in a record 64 Test matches, securing 28 victories, which is also a team record. However, he resigned from the position in April 2022 after England suffered a 10-wicket loss to the West Indies, amid a poor run of results.
During that challenging period, England had won just one of their last 17 Tests, including a crushing 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia. Root also struggled with the pressures of captaincy compounded by the difficulties of navigating cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic. Reflecting on his departure, Root admitted in June 2022 that the captaincy had become a “very unhealthy relationship” for him, saying, “I couldn’t leave it at the ground any more, it was coming home.” He added, “As soon as I made the decision, I knew it was the right thing to do. I felt like a big weight had been lifted.”
Since stepping down, Root’s form with the bat has markedly improved. He has averaged over 54 since June 2022, significantly higher than his five-year average of 46.44 prior to relinquishing the captaincy, and he scored 16 of his 41 Test centuries during this period. When offered the chance to reassume the captaincy by the incoming head coach Stephen Fleming, Root had no hesitation in accepting. He cited Fleming’s appointment as a major influence in his decision to return to the leadership role. Root, who is 35 years old and hails from Sheffield, will officially start his second full-time captaincy with a Test against Pakistan at Headingley in August. Fleming is set to join the team ahead of their tour to South Africa in December.
Discussing Fleming, Root praised his experience and energy, noting the New Zealander holds national records for matches and wins as a Test captain, just like Root himself. “I’ve admired him from afar, first as a player and recently as a coach,” Root said. “To get the chance to work together is going to be great fun.” Their collaboration arrives as the England side faces a period of instability following a string of defeats at home and away, including a disappointing series loss to New Zealand and disciplinary issues that have overshadowed the recent “Bazball” era. This phase concluded with the retirement of former captain Ben Stokes in June and the sacking of coach Brendon McCullum two weeks later.
Despite the recent setbacks, Root remains optimistic about building on the foundations laid by Stokes and McCullum. He acknowledged their contributions, stating, “I think Brendon and Ben did a brilliant job, in many ways, of turning things around and getting us in a position where hopefully now we can carry that forward in a slightly different way.” In an interview with the England & Wales Cricket Board, Root reflected on the last four years, describing them as “the most fun I’ve had in professional cricket,” largely due to the fresh perspective McCullum and Stokes brought to the game. A key element of his leadership philosophy moving forward is embracing a fearless, talent-focused approach to play while also understanding when to apply pressure or adopt a smarter, more strategic game plan. Root believes this balance will help shape a strong, resilient team difficult for opponents to overcome
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