The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Root honoured to take on captaincy
Vice-captain steps up to replace outgoing Cook
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 – 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 vicecaptain since May last year, will have five months to prepare for his first Test in charge – against South Africa on July 6.
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.
England’s record Test run-scorer Cook 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, including experienced pace pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and coaches Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace.
He 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.”
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.
Strauss, Cook’s predecessor as captain until 2012, had high praise for Root.
“Joe is the right man to be our next Test captain, and I’m thrilled he has accepted the role,” 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 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.”