Joe Root has decided to step down as England’s Test captain after a string of poor results, English Cricket Board has announced.
The 31-year-old was under immense pressure from influential figures within the game who called for his dismissal following a run of poor results capped by damaging losses suffered on the tours of Australia and the Caribbean.
England were thumped 4-0 Down Under last year narrowly avoiding a whitewash and then went down 1-0 in a three-test series in the West Indies.
“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England men’s test captain,” Root said in a statement issued by the board.
“It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me; I know the timing is right.”
Since taking charge in 2017 as Alastair Cook’s successor, Joe Root led England in a record 64 tests.
In his five-year stint, he oversaw more games (64), wins (27), and defeats (26) than any other England captain.
He also holds the records for most Hundreds (14), runs (5295), 50’s (26), and catches (87) as a captain.
But his side has won only one of their last 17 Test matches, a run of form that sealed his fate long before his decision.
Ex-England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain were among former stars of the sport who had said it was time for Root to step down.
Root’s resignation comes at a time of huge upheaval in English cricket, with a power vacuum at the ECB following England’s series defeats in the Ashes and against West Indies.
The men’s team has no managing director, no head coach, no selector, and no Test captain.
