Joe Root steps down as England Men’s test skipper: Joe Root has decided to step down from England Men’s test captaincy role following his arrival from the Caribbean. The decision came after England’s two successive test series defeats against Australia and West Indies. England suffered a 0-4 defeat against Australia in an all-important Ashes 2021-22 while their recent loss came against West Indies by 0-1.
Root in a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board said that stepping down from the captain’s duty is a tough decision, but with the support of family and the close ones, he has decided to relinquish his leadership roles.
“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England Men’s Test captain. 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,” said Root in an official statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The England batting maestro further added that he is proud of what he has achieved as the captain.
“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,” he added.
“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,” said Root.
Notably, Joe Root is England’s most successful Test skipper with 27 wins under his belt from 64 matches. He surpassed the likes of Alaster Cook, Michael Atherton and Michael Vaughan to become England’s best test captain.
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“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,” he added.
The ECB handed over test reins to Joe Root back in 2017. Owing to his sensational batting skills rightly complemented with apt captaincy tactics, Root soon took England to some of the famous test series wins.
England took a 4-1 win over India in 2018 along with defeating South Africa 3-1 in their own backyard in 2020. Root further became England’s only test skipper to have won a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2001. Root and Co thrashed Sri Lanka in the 2018 test series. In England’s recent tour to Sri Lanka, Joe Root again conquered Sri Lanka and won the test series by 2-0.
The ECB is yet to announce the skipper of the England test side following Joe Root’s quit to the role. All-rounder Ben Stokes is the probable candidate to get the reins of the England Test side.
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