Root turns to Vaughan and plans to drop down order

JOE ROOT has already sought counsel with Michael Vaughan on the challenges of being England Test captain.

Just 24 hours after his appointment as Alastair Cook’s successor on Monday, he visited Vaughan, a long-term friend and mentor, and intends to glean advice from several predecessors over the coming months.

Root, 26, will also discuss the possibility of slipping back down a place in the batting order with England coach Trevor Bayliss – currently holidaying back in his native Australia – as he tries to balance individual output with greater responsibility.

There is time for that as England’s next Test assignment – a four-match series against South Africa – does not begin until July 6. Yet, given his heavy personal scheduling as a multi-format player, not to mention the change in domestic circumstances as a new father, it will soon disappear.

Team director Andrew Strauss attempted to allay fears the captaincy will prove too much of a burden at this stage in the life of England’s number one batsman, or that the job itself will automatically neuter his individual game over the course of his captaincy. Strauss himself coped in this regard, averaging just over 40 both with

and without the armband, although Vaughan was an example of someone who struggled – his numbers contrasting from above 50 to the late 30s.

As Strauss put it: ‘It is inevitable that you will finish as an England captain at some stage. That goes without saying. When depends on a lot of things.

‘There are going to be elements of this job that you maybe find easy, other elements you find harder and it is important how you manage those elements of the job that you find difficult while, at the same time, ensuring that you keep your game in good shape and find opportunities to rest, refresh and recuperate.

‘Some people can manage it more easily than others. Graeme Smith is an example of someone who could do it for an extended period of time.

‘You do have to manage yourself and understand when there is time to get away from it you need to do that. Alastair was very good in that regard.’

Root spoke of substance over style at his Headingley unveiling on Wednesday; of wanting his England team to be remembered as a winning one and Strauss picked pragmaticism as the quality that stood out in the Yorkshireman’s 20-month service as vice-captain.

‘What is interesting with all players is how they handle high-pressure situations. For me, I think one of the best innings Joe has played – and I know it’s not relevant in this context because it wasn’t in Test cricket – was the final of the World T20 and how well he was able to keep control of himself in a highly-pressurised situation,’ Strauss said.

“That’s what you need from a captain – first day of an Ashes series, ‘‘can you lead in the right way?’’ Joe’s got that in abundance – that stomach for the fight and ability to soak up pressure.”

The position from which he carries that fight is up for discussion. Last summer, concerned by England’s top-order struggles, Bayliss and Cook persuaded him to move up to number three.

However, Haseeb Hameed and Keaton Jennings emerged from the wreckage of the 4-0 Test defeat in India, suggesting Root could slip back to number four.

‘That’s something I can think about in that big gap before the first Test match. I need to sit down with Trevor and the selectors and have that discussion,’ Root said.