Veteran English star Joe Root is set for a second stint as permanent Test captain. His first assignment will be the home series against Pakistan, which is slated to begin in August. The 36-year-old will succeed Ben Stokes, who retired from international cricket after the completion of the New Zealand series.
Harry Brook had thrown his hat in the ring to become the next Test skipper, but the ECB decided to go with Root at the helm. The Guardian has reported that the English cricket board doesn’t want to ‘burden’ the 27-year-old by giving him the Test captaincy as well. The batter is already leading the ODI and T20I teams and recently led them to a series win over India.
As far as Root’s captaincy record is concerned in the longest format, he has led the side in 65 matches. Out of which, England have won 27, lost 27 and drawn 11. His last game as the captain was against New Zealand at the Oval, when the player stood in for Stokes. New Zealand romped home to a huge win and levelled the series before ultimately winning 2-1.
When will England appoint their next Test coach?
Brendon McCullum’s exit as the Test coach has seen the English management search for a new successor. Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer is one of the names rumoured to be in the running. Former Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming is also on the list. The Guardian later reported that Langer has fallen out of favour for the Test coaching job.
According to the Guardian, no one is ready to share duties with McCullum, who is now coaching the white-ball side. The publication reported that the candidates in the running want to assume full control of the team rather than split coaching duties. 2027 will also see a lot of white-ball matches being played, with the World Cup to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
It is also believed that a new coach may not be in place ahead of Babar Azam-led side’s visit.
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