Joe Root in 'very different place' over Test captaincy return
Joe Root is set to begin his second stint as England Test captain under incoming coach Stephen Fleming, more than three years after stepping down due to the toll the role took on his health.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Joe Root returns for a second spell as England Test cricket captain
- Incoming New Zealand coach Stephen Fleming was a major factor in his decision
- Sheffield-born Root, 35, will start his new tenure against Pakistan on 19 August
- The duo inherits a team looking to regroup following the conclusion of the Bazball era
Joe Root admits he is in a completely different space when taking up the opportunity to return as England Test captain, following an offer from incoming head coach Stephen Fleming. The appointment of the New Zealander served as a major factor in his decision to accept the role once again, having previously stepped down in April 2022 following a 10-wicket defeat against the West Indies after acknowledging the position had taken a heavy toll on his health.
Back in April 2022, England had secured only a single victory in their previous 17 Test matches, a dismal run that included a 4-0 Ashes series defeat away in Australia while managing strict Covid-19 restrictions. Root revealed that the moment he made the resignation decision, he immediately knew it was the correct choice and felt as though a massive weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"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."
Joe Root
Root's batting form has truly sparkled ever since relinquishing the captaincy responsibilities, maintaining a batting average exceeding 54 since June 2022 compared to his 46.44 average across the five years prior to that, alongside scoring 16 out of his total 41 Test centuries during this productive period.
This leadership shakeup marks a pivotal transition for English Test cricket following the conclusion of the aggressive 'Bazball' philosophy championed by former captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Although that era initially delivered 10 wins in their first 11 matches, a subsequent decline in form, off-field disciplinary issues, and recent high-profile departures necessitated a fresh strategic direction for the national squad.
The 35-year-old batter from Sheffield will officially begin his second tenure as full-time captain when England face Pakistan at Headingley on 19 August, with Fleming scheduled to join up with the squad ahead of their tour to South Africa in December. Root noted that he has long admired Fleming from afar, first as a decorated player and more recently as an accomplished coach.
Root and Fleming now inherit a side currently in disarray, burdened by recent series defeats in Australia and at home against New Zealand—which drew heavy criticism regarding the team's carefree playing style—alongside off-field disciplinary troubles that brought the Bazball era to a disappointing conclusion when Stokes retired in June and McCullum was dismissed two weeks later.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Despite these challenges, Root hopes he and Fleming can draw inspiration from the earlier successes of their predecessors rather than starting entirely from scratch, praising how Brendon and Ben did a brilliant job turning things around and altering the team's mindset to strip away fear and allow players' natural talents to shine in crucial moments.
Source: BBC Sport
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