Joe Root stepped down as England Test captain on Friday after taking over the role in 2017 as Alastair Cook's successor.
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Joe Root, who succeeded Alastair Cook as the England Test captain from 2017, stepped down from his role on Friday.Â
Root was the most successful Test captain for England as the 27 victories under his reign put him ahead of former greats Michael Vaughan (26), Cook and Andrew Strauss (24 each).
The most famous victories during his tenure included a 4-1 home series win over India in 2018 and a 3-1 triumph away to South Africa in 2020. In 2018 he became the first England Men’s Captain to win a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2001, a feat he went on to repeat with a 2-0 victory in Sri Lanka in 2021.Â
Root is the highest Test run scorer for England. His tally of 5,295 runs as skipper is the highest by any England captain and puts him 5th in the all-time list behind only Graeme Smith, Alan Border, Ricky Ponting and Virat Kohli.
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His decision to step down from the role was always on the cards after England performed in a horrific manner in the three-Test series against the West Indies which saw them lose by a 0-1 margin.Â
Root highlighted that his decision came after reflecting on the loss but he remains immensely proud to have led his side over the years and wants to contribute as a batter to the national team in the coming years.
“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,” Root said in an official statement.Â
“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England Men’s Test captain. 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.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my family, Carrie, Alfred and Bella, who have lived it all with me and been incredible pillars of love and support throughout. All of the players, coaches and support staff that have helped me during my tenure. It has been a great privilege to have been with them on this journey.
“I would also like to thank all the England supporters for their unwavering support. We are lucky to have the best fans in the world, and wherever we play, that positivity is something we always cherish and admire, which is a huge drive for all of us out there.
“I am excited to continue representing the Three Lions and producing performances that will enable the team to succeed. I look forward to helping the next captain, my teammates and coaches in whatever way I can.”
The next Test assignment for England will be at home in the three-Test series against New Zealand, starting from June 2.Â
