Root shrugs off Test captaincy talk

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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.

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