Joe Root steps down as Test captain
Joe Root resigned from the role of England’s Test captain on Friday, 15 April, after leading his team in 64 matches.
Root led his team to 27 wins in his tenure as Test captain. He holds the record for leading England in the greatest number of Tests and also delivered record number of wins as England Captain. The next best is Alastair Cook with 24 wins in 59 Tests.
Under Root’s captaincy, England won 4-1 against India at home in 2018 and registered a 3-1 triumph away in South Africa in 2020. In 2018, Root also became the first England men’s captain to win a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2001, a feat he went on to repeat with a 2-0 victory in 2021.
Root also became the first batsman to score a double century in his 100th Test in his tenure as captain.
However, the last 14 months have been tough for the English cricketer. It included defeats to India both home and away, a Ashes white wash humiliation, the failure to make the Test Championship final and most recently a 1-0 series loss against West Indies.
Joe Root’s Statement:
“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England Men’s Test Captain,” Root said. “It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me; I know the timing is right.”
“I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years with enormous pride. It has been an honour to have done the job and to have been a custodian of what is the pinnacle of English cricket.
“I have loved leading my country, but recently it’s hit home how much of a toll it has taken on me and the impact it has had on me away from the game.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my family, Carrie, Alfred and Bella, who have lived it all with me and been incredible pillars of love and support throughout. All of the players, coaches and support staff that have helped me during my tenure. It has been a great privilege to have been with them on this journey.
“I would also like to thank all the England supporters for their unwavering support. We are lucky to have the best fans in the world, and wherever we play, that positivity is something we always cherish and admire, which is a huge drive for all of us out there.
“I am excited to continue representing the Three Lions and producing performances that will enable the team to succeed. I look forward to helping the next captain, my teammates and coaches in whatever way I can.”
Joe Root scored the most Test runs as England captain: 5295 runs. He also recorded the most centuries and half centuries as England’s Test captain – 14 100s & 26 50s.
“Joe has been an exceptional role model during his tenure, balancing the demands of Test captaincy whilst continuing to shine brilliantly through his own personal performances,” said Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer. “He has led by example, and that has resulted in more Test wins than any other England captain, alongside a number of famous series home and away victories.
“Joe’s leadership qualities were exemplified by how he led the team through some of the most difficult and uncertain times we have known, playing during the pandemic all over the world, which speaks volumes for him as a leader and as a person.
“I know that every single person who has played or worked under Joe’s captaincy will speak of his integrity and humility as a person, as much as his determination and example as a leader.
“Off the field, Joe has been no different. It has been a privilege and a huge pleasure to have worked with him in his capacity as our Test Captain, and I know he’ll continue to drive English cricket forward as a senior player, offering his wealth of experience and advice to support his successor.”, Harrison added.
