Under-fire Root quits as England captain

Agencies

LONDON: Joe Root resigned as England’s Test captain on Friday after a rollercoaster five-year term that ended in a torrid run of results including an Ashes drubbing and loss in the West Indies.

The Yorkshireman, appointed as Alastair Cook’s successor in 2017, holds the record for the most matches and most wins as England skipper, but also has the unwanted record for most defeats. The 31-year-old led his side to a number of notable series victories, including a 4-1 home win over India in 2018 and a 3-1 triumph away to South Africa in 2019/20.

But the past 12 months have been dismal. After winning their opening three Tests of 2021, England have tasted victory just one since, losing 11 and drawing five of their past 17. Root’s decision comes after last month’s 1-0 Test series defeat to West Indies, which followed a humiliating 4-0 Ashes loss in Australia; the second 4-0 defeat in Australia under his leadership.

“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England men’s Test captain,” Root said in a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“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.

“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. 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,” he added.

Root, who initially said he wanted to stay on as skipper after defeat in the West Indies, led England in a record 64 Tests and has overseen 27 wins and 26 defeats. The batter, England’s second-highest Test run scorer of all time behind Cook, scored 14 centuries as captain.

His tally of 5,295 runs as skipper is the highest by any England captain and puts him fifth on the all-time list behind Graeme Smith, Alan Border, Ricky Ponting and Virat Kohli. “I look forward to helping the next captain, my teammates and coaches in whatever way I can,” Root said.

England lack a sizeable group of experienced players ready to step up to the captaincy but those in the frame include star all-rounder Ben Stokes and veteran fast bowler Stuart Broad, who was controversially dropped for the West Indies tour.

Stokes posted a message on Instagram saying it had been a “great ride”. “Watching one of my great mates lead us all out on to the field was a privilege,” he said. “You have given everything to English cricket and we all want to say thank you for your sacrifices and hard work.”

Root’s exit leaves England without a captain, head coach, and managing director while the ECB seeks a new chairman.

Pujara falls cheaply on debut for Sussex

DERBY: Senior India batter Cheteshwar Pujara could only score six runs off 15 balls in his first innings of the 2022 County Championship here on Friday.

Making his debut for Sussex, Pujara was dismissed in the 24th over on the second day of the Division Two game against Derbyshire, who amassed 505 in their first innings.

It was not the best of starts to the County stint for Pujara who needs a bagful of runs to make a comeback into the Test team.

REUTERS Under Joe Root, England have tasted just one victory from their last 17 Test matches, losing 11 and drawing five.