Joe Root is reportedly set to return as England's Test captain, starting with the Pakistan series in August and likely extending through next summer's home Ashes against Australia, following Ben Stokes' retirement and Brendon McCullum's departure as Test coach.
Joe Root, 36, led England to a 2-1 ODI series victory against India, scoring an unbeaten 249 runs across three innings and earning Player of the Series. His consistent performance, including scores of 76, 99, and 74, proved crucial for England's success.
England secured a 2-1 ODI series victory over India, their first since 2018, with Joe Root named Player of the Series and returning to the ICC ODI Batting Rankings top 10 at No. 8. Ben Duckett also climbed to joint-19th after a record-breaking knock at Lord's.
Joe Root became the first England batter to score six consecutive ODI half-centuries, remaining unbeaten throughout the July 2026 series against India with 249 runs, surpassing previous records for most runs in a bilateral ODI series without dismissal.
Joe Root became the first England batter to achieve six consecutive fifty-plus scores in One-Day Internationals, hitting an unbeaten 74 against India at Lord's. His knock contributed to England's 387/3 in the series-deciding match, where Ben Duckett scored 141 and Jacob Bethell 91.
Joe Root's consistent performance has brought him within 1,807 runs of Sachin Tendulkar's Test run record of 15,921, a feat previously deemed unbreakable. Unlike past challengers, Root's age and sustained form position him uniquely, making the chase a real possibility over the next 18-21 Tests.
Joe Root has accumulated 14,114 Test runs, placing him 1,807 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921. Unlike previous challengers, Root's consistent scoring and age profile suggest a realistic chance of breaking the long-standing record.
Following Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket, Harry Brook is the leading candidate to become England's next Test captain. Brook expressed his honor and privilege at the prospect, calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the game. He also supported the decision to appoint Joe Root as captain for the second Test against New Zealand.
The article explores the deep friendship between English cricketers Joe Root and Ben Stokes, highlighting their shared journey from youth teams to international success and challenges. It details Root's tribute to Stokes, their on-field partnership, and Root's continued role in English cricket after Stokes's departure, including his surprising aggressive batting style.
Ben Stokes has publicly endorsed Harry Brook as his successor to lead England's Test cricket team. Despite Brook not captaining in a recent Test, Stokes believes he is the natural choice due to his vice-captaincy and influence, backing him fully.
Geoffrey Boycott has criticized Joe Root's captaincy during England's Test defeat to New Zealand, stating Root learned "nothing" from his previous tenure. Boycott welcomed Ben Stokes' return for the third Test, highlighting Stokes' superior leadership and handling of players like Jofra Archer.
Former England batter Geoffrey Boycott has criticized Joe Root's captaincy during England's Test defeat to New Zealand, stating Root learned "nothing" from his previous tenure. Boycott welcomed Ben Stokes' return for the third Test, deeming him essential for leadership.
Joe Root's captaincy record now includes the second-most defeats as a Test skipper, with England's loss to New Zealand at The Oval being his 27th. Despite this, his loss percentage is higher than those with more defeats.
Joe Root's 27th Test defeat as captain, a 253-run loss to New Zealand at The Oval, places him level with Stephen Fleming for the second-most losses. Root's 40.91% loss rate is notably higher than Fleming's and Graeme Smith's.
New Zealand swiftly claimed the remaining five England wickets to win the second Test at the Oval. Matt Henry took four wickets on Sunday, including Joe Root for 77, as England collapsed from 182-5 to 192-9. Henry finished with 6-29 in the second innings and 11 wickets for the match.
Joe Root was dismissed LBW for 75, halting England's resistance on Day 5. New Zealand needs only 5 wickets to win the second Test at The Oval and level the series.
England are on the brink of defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval, ending day four on 182 for five, trailing by 281 runs. Josh Tongue acknowledged the absence of captain Ben Stokes, who was scoring runs in a county match, while Joe Root continues his stand-in captaincy.
Joe Root's unbeaten 75 has given England a fighting chance against New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval. Set a target of 463, England were 182-5 at stumps on day four, requiring 281 more runs. The match also saw Ben Stokes score 95 for Durham.
Joe Root achieved a historic milestone by scoring over 14,000 Test runs, becoming only the second batter in history to do so, joining Sachin Tendulkar. The England star reached the feat in his 302nd Test innings at The Oval against New Zealand.
New Zealand established a dominant position on day three of the second Test against England, reaching 252 for three and leading by 352 runs. Henry Nicholls scored an unbeaten 119 and Rachin Ravindra added 76, grinding down England's attack. England's batting collapsed earlier, setting up a likely series decider.
Sonny Baker experienced a mix of emotions and challenges during his Test cricket debut. Initial nerves and communication issues with Joe Root were followed by a difficult spell with the ball, but Baker showed resilience.
Joe Root reluctantly stepped in as England captain again during a turbulent Test against New Zealand. Despite personal batting success, the team struggled, ending day two at 222 for six, trailing by 169 runs. Key moments included Glenn Phillips' maiden Test century and crucial dismissals of Root and Brook.
Joe Root returned to captaincy duties for England in the second Test at Lord's, showcasing a more experimental and fun approach to the game. Despite the team's struggles, Root's leadership style evolved, balancing his new responsibilities with the need to support young bowlers.
Joe Root has acknowledged England's "disappointing" behaviour in recent months, culminating in a nightclub incident that has led to Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped for the second Test against New Zealand. Root will resume captaincy on a "game-by-game basis".
