Root steps down as England Test Captain

Joe Root has stepped down from his position as England Test captain after five years in the job.

The 31-year-old announced his decision on Friday, citing the “toll”, and  “impact” the role has had on him.

The 31-year-old was appointed Sir Alastair Cook’s successor in 2017, and currently holds the record for the highest number of matches and wins as  captain.

However, his most recent series as skipper ended in defeat against the West Indies, with the ten wicket third test loss stretching England’s winless run to nine matches.

Root initially said that he wanted to stay on but now feels “the timing is right”. “It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career, but having discussed this with my family and those closet to me, I know the timing is right”. Said Root, who has not stepped down as an England player.

“I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years with enormous pride”. He added.

Root’s total of 5,295 runs as captain is the most by any England captain, and he has also scored no less than 14 centuries while holding the position.

He has become England’s second highest test run scorer of all time, having led his country for a record 64 tests with a mixed record of 27 wins and 26 defeats.

The news is possibly no surprise as it was thought if Root did have a change of hearty, then his decision would be announced quickly.

After last months series defeat in the Caribbean followed by England’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Australia in the Ashes, with their fourth fully completed series loss in the row, it was a question of when not if.

Personally, I feel Root has finally realised that this is the right decision to make. He has had a lot of time to think about what to do about the captains position and he feels a change of leadership is the right way forward.

After the recent West Indies series, he looked a drained man. He looked a man who had so many decisions to think about, which he has done. As well as having to virtually single handily on a regular basis bail England out of a big hole after the top order have folded very cheaply.

Couple this with having to lead a side lacking confidence as well as having to lead off the field and it would become obvious that he has decided to do the right thing.

The next question in the chapter of English cricket is who follows in Root’s footsteps. At the moment there are no obvious choices with people wanting to put their hand up for the task in hand.

Ben Stokes name springs to mind, but I feel this would be a bad move. Stokes is an immense talent, by taking on the responsibility of the captain would offer new challenges for him, but I feel it could take away the player that he is.

Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson are two names that do come into the equation. Yes, they are coming to the end of their playing careers, but have a massive amount of experience.

However, they lack any captaincy experience, which would possibly go against them. It’s a pity a certain Sir Alistair Cook isn’t available for a second stint in charge. Cook was a great leader under pressure and is still playing like a youngster making his first stride in the game.

Or perhaps he may fancy on a short term basis the leadership again, if asked. Only he would know that.

The main problem with English cricket at the moment is they haven’t even go a chairman yet to make key decisions. There is also talk about the chief executive leaving. There is no coach, managing director and now no captain.

The reality is is they have won only one match in the last 17, so realistically there is a lot of work for everybody to do. Not just behind the scenes, but whoever gets the position of captain will know they are in for a very rocky road ahead of them, with an awful lot of work to do. Good luck.

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