Joe Root has stepped down as the captain of the England men’s Test cricket team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed this development with a press release earlier today. Root was one of the top captains in England’s Test cricket history.
However, the end to his captaincy tenure was not the best. In the new 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle, Root could lead England to only one victory. In fact, in the last 17 Test matches, the English side managed only a solitary win which came against the Indian cricket team at home.
Root did an impressive job as the captain and recorded the highest number of victories by a captain for England in Test cricket history. He has 27 Test wins to his name. However, in his last two series, England suffered a 0-4 defeat against Australia and a 0-1 defeat against the West Indies.
Even in the home series against India, they are trailing by 1-2. Commenting on his decision to step down as the captain, Root said:
“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England Men’s Test captain. It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but I know the timing is right.”
It will be interesting to see who replaces Root as the captain. All-rounder Ben Stokes seems the number one contender, but if the England team management does not want to more pressure on him, they could recall either Stuart Broad or James Anderson and assign them the team’s reins for some time before the next captain is ready.
Fans on Twitter react as Joe Root leaves the captaincy position in England’s Test team
Here’s how the cricket universe on Twitter reacted to Joe Root’s big decision of stepping down as the England captain.
Thank You, @root66 ❤️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 15, 2022
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BREAKING: Joe Root resigns as England cricket captain. Many will be happy about this but I’m not. He was let down badly by his teammates & without his own outstanding batting, we’d have fared far worse. Thanks for all you’ve done @root66 – very sorry it’s ended like this. pic.twitter.com/smBO0g0fFb
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 15, 2022
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An England and Yorkshire legend 😍
You should be very proud @root66!
AdvertisementPlenty more runs and wickets to come! #OneRose pic.twitter.com/avoB02L9fS
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) April 15, 2022
He gave it everything with very little support for the Red ball team under his watch .. then he had to deal with Covid times .. he still is and will the games best role model for many many years .. now enjoy being the senior player for many more seasons @root66 👍👍
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 15, 2022
Joe Root steps down fifth on the all-time run-scoring list among Test captains.
The end of an era. pic.twitter.com/sSBnB89BVW
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 15, 2022
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Joe Root is no longer England Test captain. This is a good move. He can now break all the run scoring records with a smile on his face.
— kεz (@_kezx) April 15, 2022
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Says a lot that it’s Tom Harrison, a CEO on the way out, quoted in the press release thanking Joe Root for his service as Test captain. There isn’t a Coach or a Director of Cricket to do it. The captaincy enters the vacuum too. Next Test in 7 weeks
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) April 15, 2022
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Joe Root who holds the record for the most number of matches and wins as England men's Test captain has stepped down from the role #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 15, 2022
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Joe Root steps down as Captain of England Test Team
Most runs as a Captain in calendar year
Now he'll be able to play freely
I'll miss you as the Captain dear Root 💖 pic.twitter.com/xbi3Z3k7hI— May27 🇮🇳 #RR💗 🤝🏻 #GT💙 (@MegaVyas) April 15, 2022
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Never deserved the team he got, what a batsman and hopefully this makes him even better. Thank you Rooty❤️ @root66 https://t.co/pv2aBpkPXr
— Sam Bruce🇾🇪 (@SamBrucee1) April 15, 2022
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