LONDON: England’s right-handed batter Joe Root has decided to step down from the captaincy, following the side’s dismal performance in the recent series against West Indies and Australia.
Root, who captained England in the record 64 Test matches, has decided to resign from his position after his side’s below-par performance in the longest format.
England, currently ranked fifth in the ICC Test Team Rankings have now lost nine consecutive matches with the latest being the 10-wickets defeat against West Indies.
In a statement released by the England Cricket Board (ECB), Root claimed after getting the time to reflect, he made the ‘challenging decision’ of his cricketing career.
“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,” the statement quoted Root.
“I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years with enormous pride. It has been an honour to have done the job and to have been a custodian of what is the pinnacle of English cricket,” he added.
“I have loved leading my country, but recently it’s hit home how much of the toll it has taken on me and the impact it has had on me away from the game,” he concluded.
After the horrible Ashes 2021-22 campaign, many former England cricketers slammed Root and asked him to step down from the captaincy but he wished to continue then but has now decided either way.
During his five years as England captain, Root scored 5,295 runs – the most by an English captain – and also hit 14 centuries.
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