On this day in 2017: Joe Root is confirmed as England’s new Test captain

Joe Root described himself as “privileged, humbled and very excited” after being confirmed as England’s new Test captain on this day in 2017.
Yorkshire batsman Root succeeded Alastair Cook, who resigned after his record 59-match tenure.
England and Wales Cricket Board director Andrew Strauss confirmed he canvassed the opinion of several senior players – and interviewed Root too – before the 26-year-old was offered the job.

Root, who had been Cook’s vice-captain since May 2016, said: “It is a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy.
“I feel privileged, humbled and very excited.”
Root’s appointment came as England were seeking to restate their Test credentials, having been within one win of going top of the rankings last summer only to then lose a match for the first time in their history to Bangladesh before going down 4-0 to all-conquering India before Christmas.

Strauss, Cook’s predecessor as captain until 2012, had high praise for the Yorkshireman.
“Joe is the right man to be our next Test captain, and I’m thrilled he has accepted the role,” he said.
“Joe has shown a number of admirable qualities in his Test career so far.
No better way to mark your 100th Test. Couldn’t be more proud of the team! On to the next one 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/oCufss4ZLy
— Joe Root (@root66) February 9, 2021
“He is universally respected by his team-mates, passionate about driving the Test team forward and extremely excited about the prospect of leading his country.”
In his first match as captain, Root scored 190 against South Africa at Lord’s, but received some criticism after England’s poor performance in the 2017/18 Ashes in Australia.
Earlier this month, Root made history as the first player to score a double hundred in his 100th Test as he scored 218 on day two of the first Test against India in Chennai.
Latest
-
News
Daryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.
-
News
Superb James Vince ton leads Hampshire to shock win over Somerset
Sussex’s five-match losing streak came to an end with a 17-run win over Surrey.
-
News
Adil Rashid to miss England’s India white-ball series to make Mecca pilgrimage
Rashid has found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments.
-
News
Jack Leach pleased with good luck but admits freak dismissal no collector’s item
New Zealand closed the opening day of the final Test against England on 225 for five after Henry Nicholls was dismissed in bizarre fashion.
-
News
Stuart Broad stars on day one for England but error of judgement proves costly
Broad kept a week of celebrations going strong by striking before a run had been added and followed with the key scalp of Kane Williamson.
-
News
Matthew Mott expects England whitewash to ‘light fire’ under captain Eoin Morgan
Mott made an ideal start in his new role with a 3-0 one-day clean sweep of the Netherlands.
-
England
Stuart Broad double and freak dismissal helps put England on top at Headingley
New Zealand were 123 for five at tea on day one.
-
England
Lord Patel targeted by abusive letters in wake of Yorkshire racism scandal
Test cricket returned to Headingley on Thursday.
-
England
Stuart Broad leads England’s charge on first morning at Headingley
England responded brilliantly after losing the toss to leave the tourists uncomfortably set on 65 for three.
-
England
On this day in 2013: England suffer Champions Trophy final defeat to India
England suffered a huge batting collapse in the rain-affected one-day game.