Joe Root is set to begin his second full-time spell as England’s Test captain against Pakistan this week. The decision appears straightforward, yet it also highlights England’s current shortage of experienced leadership options.
Root remains one of his generation’s finest batsmen. However, the captaincy previously placed considerable pressure on his performance and wellbeing.
Root Takes Charge Again
Root has already captained England in a national-record 65 Test matches. His first spell lasted five years, from 2017 to 2022. However, he stepped down after England won only one of 17 Tests.
“The last couple of years, it (the captaincy) sucked the life out of me,” Root said later.
“I was a shadow of the person I wanted to be… Once I’d made the decision it was a real relief.”
Despite that difficult experience, Root is now preparing to lead England again. His previous record as captain included 27 wins, 27 defeats and 11 draws.
England Lacks a Clear Alternative
Root’s return follows Ben Stokes’s unexpected retirement from international cricket. Stokes announced his decision during England’s third Test against New Zealand in June.
Harry Brook, who served as Stokes’s vice-captain, already leads England’s white-ball teams. Giving Brook responsibility across all three formats could have placed considerable pressure on the young captain.
Brook had also faced disciplinary issues during England’s tour of New Zealand last November. An incident involving a nightclub bouncer led England to introduce a midnight curfew.
Root later became acting captain when Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson missed the second Test against New Zealand. Both players had breached the curfew at a London bar. Root subsequently announced that he would abandon the curfew.
Root Faces a Demanding Test Schedule
England reportedly want Root to remain Test captain until at least the end of next year’s home Ashes series. That could mean 13 Tests under his leadership, beginning with the series against Pakistan.
The schedule also includes a difficult tour of South Africa later this year. England will then travel to Bangladesh for another Test series.
Bangladesh recently produced a major upset by defeating Australia by nine wickets away from home. Therefore, Root will face a demanding challenge as England attempts to rebuild its Test fortunes.
Can Root Balance Captaincy and Batting?
The biggest concern for England may be the effect captaincy has on Root’s batting. The 35-year-old is approaching Sachin Tendulkar’s record as Test cricket’s leading run-scorer.
England cannot afford for leadership responsibilities to affect one of its most important batsmen. However, Root believes he has changed since his previous captaincy spell.
“I am a very different player and have a different way of looking at the game than the last time I captained, in a good way,” he said.
That experience could help Root approach the role differently this time.
England Looks to Adjust Its Aggressive Style
Root has also indicated that England will not completely abandon its aggressive approach to Test cricket. He said he would not “rip up” the existing playbook but would instead “tweak” it. The aim will be to find a more effective balance while maintaining England’s attacking identity.
Under Stokes and former Test coach Brendon McCullum, England enjoyed several memorable victories. However, the team also struggled against major opponents, including India and Australia.
England has now lost seven of its last nine Tests, increasing the pressure ahead of the Pakistan series. The three-Test series against Pakistan will therefore provide Root with an immediate test of his leadership.
More importantly, it could show whether England’s new approach can reverse its recent decline.
