Recently retired cricketer Ben Stokes has outlined his worry to Joe Root that the England Test captaincy may end up grating on him in the way it did when he gave up the role in 2022, as well as expressing confusion as to why vice-captain Harry Brook was not promoted to the job.
Ben Stokes’ Concern on Joe Root being appointed captainÂ
Speaking on the latest episode of the For The Love of Cricket podcast with Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes said, “I love Rooty. I wish him nothing but success. I hope he goes on and achieves amazing things in his role as captain. I think he’s going to really enjoy Flem; he’s a great man. I have worked with Flem before.”Â
Stokes further added, “But I told Joe, my only worry is you. And that’s all I really care about now with Rooty, just because I’ve seen what he went through and how much he put himself through. For someone, he just always puts the team first, and he always comes second. That’s my only concern with it, knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team. Because I don’t want to see that ever happen again because I care for Joe a lot,”
Joe Root again in-fray of Test captaincy
Ben Stokes, who retired as Test captain recently, revealed that he had spoken to Root following his reappointment last week. In that conversation, he articulated his hope Root does not return to the dark days of the end of his first term in the post. For the record, Root stepped down from the role four years ago, citing a very unhealthy relationship with captaincy, exacerbated by operating under Covid-19 restrictions for his final two years.
Those struggles underpinned Stokes’ early success as captain upon taking over from his close friend, looking to alleviate the pressure on both Root and a team stifled by taxing biosecure environments. The decision to hand Root the captaincy once more was made, in part, by newly hired Test head coach Stephen Fleming after Brendon McCullum was stood down- a decision Stokes believes might not have been made had he not retired.
Having worked with Fleming at the IPL, both at Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant, Stokes believes the 53-year-old will be the ideal foil for Root, but feared the latter’s selfless traits might be to his detriment once more.Â
Joe Root’s Tricky Assignments to start his second tenureÂ
Joe Root resumes his second stint as captain post the completion of the Hundred 2026. His first assignment will be a 3-match Test series at home against Pakistan. This will be a tricky one as Pakistan are an unpredictable team and can surprise you on their day. Yes, they are not in the best of form right now, but a side which cannot be taken lightly at all. This is a series where Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach.
Things don’t get easier for Root as England, in the month of December, travel to South Africa for a 3-match Test series in what will be the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming. The South Africa series will indeed be a baptism by fire as the Proteas are the reigning WTC holders. It won’t be easy for Root and Fleming against the Proteas in South Africa. It’s a challenge they must be ready to deal with for sure.
England have very slim hopes alive for the WTC cycle 2025-27. It is about salvaging the rest of the cycle and starting afresh for the next cycle. That should be the aim for England going forward in the subsequent months under Joe Root.
Also Read:Â ENG vs PAK: Rob Key Reveals Decision Behind Giving Captaincy To Joe Root