Joe Root has stepped down from the role of the England Test team captaincy after five years and 64 matches in charge of the team.
The 31-year old endured a tough tour in West Indies recently as his team went down fighting and succumbed to a 0-1 loss in the 3-match-test series. He felt that the time is now right to quit captaincy in the longest format of the game and said,
“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.”
Root further talked about his five-year tenure as the test captain and how proud he is about leading the country in the most respected format of the game.
“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 honor 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.
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With 5295 runs as the skipper of the national team, Root put his name down in the record books as no other Three Lions Test skipper has been able to touch that milestone. He is fifth on the list of the ‘International Test Skippers to score the most runs’ behind only Graeme Smith, Alan Border, Ricky Ponting, and Virat Kohli.
While Root scored enough runs for the team as the skipper to justify the success in the role, the team didn’t win enough matches and lost the crucial Ashes series in both Australia and England while India also took a 2-1 lead in the 5-match test series in 2021 which will be completed in July 2022 now under new captains for both the teams.
The team only won 27 of Root’s 64 matches in charge of the England test team losing 26 which reflects a torrid team towards the end of his reign as the Three Lions skipper. The batsman will now look forward to cementing himself as one of the greats in the England Test history. He said,
“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.”
The experienced batsman further thanked the England supporters and his family for the continued support during his tenure as the England test team skipper. He concluded,
“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 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 have helped me during my tenure. It has been a great privilege to have been with them on this journey.
