Broad backs Root as England leader of new generation
STUART BROAD has backed Joe Root to succeed Alastair Cook after England’s leading run-scorer of all time stood down as captain.
While Broad admits he would find it hard to turn down the job if it was formally offered to him, the 30-year-old believes it is time for the next generation of leaders to step forward.
Cook, a close friend of Broad, resigned the captaincy last week after five years in charge following a string of Test defeats which culminated in the winter’s 4-0 series loss to India.
Broad was one of three players — including Root and Ben Stokes — who met England cricket director Andrew Strauss and chief selector James Whitaker last week to discuss the captaincy.
‘For me, in the best interests of the team in the medium and long term, I believe a younger modern-day captain is the way to go,’ said Broad. ‘Joe Root looks like just the man for the job for me.
He’s not had a lot of captaincy experience so he will have to learn on the job, but he wouldn’t be the first England captain to have to do that.
‘The whole point of having a new captain is so they can bring a different type of energy and ideas to the group. Joe is the best player in the team and he’s in a position where his game can cope with the pressures of captaining England.
‘He’s played all three formats and coped really well and I don’t see why that would be affected by the captaincy. Yes, you have to attend more meetings and you’re involved in more conversations about injuries, form and players’ welfare. But that shouldn’t be a reason to miss games.’