Root shrugs off Test captaincy talk

England vice-captain Joe Root has no desire to take the top job in the near future, and feels Alastair Cook will wear the proverbial armband for ‘years to come’.
Cook was quoted before the tour of India as saying he would like to play as a pure batsman before he retires, prompting speculation that he could resign the captaincy in the next few months.
But Root feels this is premature, and that Cook is the best person to lead the Test side for a long while yet, despite the side struggling in India.
Root said on Cricinfo of Cook’s mindset: “I think he is coping all right. He’s very professional and you don’t really get much from him in that respect.
“I imagine it must be quite tough being away from a new child and family and everything.
“You could put a lot of blame on Cooky (for the defeats) but actually it is the responsibility of the batters to make those big scores.
“You can blame whoever you want, but we have to take responsibility for our own game.
“I think he is pretty set on captaining for a few years to come and I hope he does because I think he is a brilliant leader and I’ve really enjoyed playing under him.
“I’m quite happy with the role I’m playing at the moment and genuinely, honestly I think he is the right man.”
After the current tour of India, which has two Tests left, England have a break of nearly seven months before their next Test series.
Latest
-
News
Dan Lawrence shows early touch as Essex start strongly in Championship
There were big hundreds for Sam Robson, Tom Haines and James Vince.
-
News
Sachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
News
New Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.
-
News
Jamie Porter hoping for England call after picking James Anderson’s brain
Porter was close to his England debut against India three years ago but has fallen down the pecking order.
-
News
ICC Rankings: Fakhar Zaman on the charge in ODIs
Fakhar Zaman has scored back-to-back ODI centuries in South Africa and is in red-hot form.
-
News
ICC pressing ahead with plans for T20 World Cup in India despite Covid-19 spike
Acting chief executive Geoff Allardice says the ICC is “not anywhere near” activating any contingency plans.
-
News
Matt Parkinson takes positives from England tour despite lack of game time
Parkinson did not see competitive action in Sri Lanka or India.
-
News
Ponting sheds light on Smith’s Delhi Capitals role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has given some insight into where Steve Smith would fit into his side.
-
News
Akhtar ‘wouldn’t call De Kock a cheat’ but run-out not in the ‘spirit of cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar has had his say on Quinton de Kock’s controversial actions during the run-out of Fakhar Zaman.
-
News
Sarah Taylor set for playing comeback in The Hundred with Welsh Fire
Taylor put her cricketing career on hold in September 2019 when announcing her international retirement.