‘Privileged and humbled’ Root is named as England’s new captain
● Vice-captaincy goes to all-rounder Stokes as ECB look to winter Ashes
Joe Root described himself as “privileged, humbled and very excited” after being confirmed as England’s new Test captain.
Yorkshire batsman Root succeeds Alastair Cook, who resigned last week after his record 59-match tenure.
England and Wales Cricket Board director Andrew Strauss confirmed he canvassed the opinion of several senior players – and interviewed Root, too – before the 26-year-old was offered the job on Sunday. The ECB then made the widely-anticipated announcement in a statement yesterday morning.
Root, who had been Cook’s vice-captain since May last year, will have five months to prepare for his first Test in charge – against South Africa at Lord’s on 6 July.
He said: “It is a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy. I feel privileged, humbled and very excited.”
All-rounder Ben Stokes will be Root’s vice-captain, as England seek to establish a new leadership era not just against South Africa and West Indies in the forthcoming summer but to face Australia in next winter’s Ashes.
Cook, England’s record Test runscorer, is expected to remain at the top of the order for the foreseeable future.
Root, who averages almost 53 in his 53 Tests to date, will, therefore, have no shortage of advisers to turn to on and off the pitch.
Root added: “We have a very good group of players, and I’m looking forward to leading them out in the summer, building on Alastair’s achievements and making the most of our talents in the years ahead. The senior guys in the changing room play a very influential role, and, while there’s a natural progression for me, it’s a huge support to know that they are there to help and advise.’’
ECB chairman Colin Graves approved Strauss and the selectors’ recommendation.
Graves, a fellow Yorkshireman, said: “Joe Root is the perfect choice for England Test captain. I’m delighted he has accepted the role and will now help to take the team to the next level.
“When I spoke to him last night you could feel the excitement and sense the pride. He can’t wait to get started. Joe is a fine player and a fine person who has the respect of the players, the selectors and all at the ECB. He also has a changing room with experienced players and leaders who will support him from the start.”
Root’s appointment comes at a time when England must restate their Test credentials, having been within one win of going top of the rankings last summer only to then lose a match for the first time in their history to Bangladesh before going down 4-0 to all-conquering India before Christmas. Graves added: “Joe has maturity beyond his years and, having seen him develop at Yorkshire over the last 10 years, I know his qualities well.
“I offer my congratulations to Joe and, once again, my thanks to Alastair Cook for the way he has developed the team, the timing of his decision and the platform he has given his successor.’’
Strauss, Cook’s predecessor as captain until 2012, also praised Root. He said: “Joe has shown a number of admirable qualities in his Test career so far. He is universally respected by his team-mates, passionate about driving the Test team forward and extremely excited about the prospect of leading his country.”
Strauss believes that Root and Stokes will form a winning partnership. “I’m also delighted Ben Stokes will take over from Joe as vice-captain of the team,” he added. “He has real presence and influence within the team environment that serve as a great source of support for Joe.
“I have no doubts the responsibility will also help Ben to continue his rapid rise as a world-class all-rounder.”
England, meanwhile, must manage Root’s workload as a key player not just in Tests but – with a home limited overs Champions Trophy campaign preceding this summer’s Test series – both the white-ball formats, too.
Root became a father for the first time last month, and flew out only days after the birth of his son, Alfred, to join England under one-day international captain Eoin Morgan on the new-year tour of India.
He is due to travel again next week for the three-match ODI series in the West Indies but before then will hold his first press conference as captain at his home ground, Headingley, tomorrow.
“Joe is universally respected by his team-mates, passionate about driving the Test team forward and extremely excited about leading his country”