Joe Root steps down as England Test captain

Joe Root has stepped down as England Test captain after accepting that five years in the job – and a recent 12-month period of flatlining results and off-field change – had come at a personal cost.

The 31-year-old ended last month’s 1-0 defeat by West Indies insisting he was “passionate” about remaining in charge despite the winter’s failed Ashes campaign, one win in his last 17 Tests and a record fifth series without victory.

But a period of reflection back at home has seen Root change his mind, adding the role of men’s Test captain to the list of vacancies at the England and Wales Cricket Board along with chair, director of men’s cricket and men’s head coach.

Root said, “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.”

Victory over India at Headingley last summer was Root’s 27th as England Test captain, breaking the record previously held by Michael Vaughan, but change has felt inevitable ever since a 10-wicket defeat by West Indies in Grenada. _Agencies