Joe Root steps down as England Test Captain

England red-ball skipper, Joe Root has decided to call it a day from his captaincy duties. Root has decided to take the decision after England’s performance in the West Indies where they lost the 3-match Test series by 1-0.

Root is regarded as the most successful Test captain for winning 27 Tests, which is highest by any England red-ball captain before. He has scored 5295 runs at an impressive average of 49.45 as a captain which is highest by any England Test captain and 5th highest as a Test captain in the world.

Joe Root was handed the captaincy in February, 2013 after former skipper Alastair Cook resigned. Root was the 80th captain of the England Test team.

He had to go through a rough patch in the last few months with England’s Test losses on home grounds by India, not able to make it to the World Test Championship finals, 4-0 Ashes loss and then Test series defeat in West Indies.

Commenting on his decision, 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 having discussed this with my family and those closest to me; I know the timing is right.”

Joe Root Captaincy Record