Root resigns as Test captain after torrid year

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 defeat 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 he 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.”

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 batsman, 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.

ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said: “Joe has been an exceptional role model during his tenure, balancing the demands of Test captaincy whilst continuing to shine brilliantly through his own personal performances. ”

England all-rounder Ben 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.