Root in ‘very different place’ over Test captaincyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Root has scored more than 14,000 runs at 50.58 in 166 Tests for EnglandByElizabeth Botcherby, BBC Sport journalist and Henry Moeran, BBC cricket reporterPublished22 minutes agoEngland’s Joe Root is ready to embrace his second stint as Test captain, saying he is in a “very different place” to when he stepped down from the role four years ago.First appointed captain in 2017, Root led England in a record 64 Tests and oversaw a record 28 wins as skipper before stepping down in April 2022 following a 10-wicket defeat by West Indies.At that time, England had won just one of their past 17 Tests, including a 4-0 Ashes humbling away in Australia, while also navigating Covid restrictions, with Root admitting the job “took its toll” on his health.”It had become a very unhealthy relationship, the captaincy and me. I could’nt leave it at the ground any more, it was coming home,” Root mentioned in June 2022.
“As soon as I made the decision, I knew it was the right thing to do. I felt like a big weight had been lifted.”
Root has sparkled since relinquishing the captaincy, averaging over 54 since June 2022 compared to an average of 46.44 in the five years prior and scoring 16 of his 41 Test centuries.
However, he told BBC Sport he had no doubts when he was offered the opportunity to return to the role by incoming head coach Stephen Fleming, adding the New Zealander’s appointment was a big factor in his decision.
Sheffield-born Root, 35, will begin his second stint as full-time captain against Pakistan at Headingley on 19 August, with Fleming joining up with the team ahead of December’s tour of South Africa.
“It’s one of the greatest honours you could wish to have. I’m very excited by it,” Root, who filled the role on an interim basis in June when then captain Ben Stokes missed the second Test against New Zealand following an incident at a nightclub, told BBC Sport.
“I’m in a very different place to the last time I did it with a team in a very different position.”
