Joe Root could hardly have asked for a better start to his return as England Test captain, but his comeback is less about reclaiming an old role and more about embracing a challenge he now feels better equipped to handle.
Root had previously described his relationship with the England captaincy as unhealthy before stepping down. Four years on, however, he believes his circumstances, experience and perspective have changed significantly.
“Well, first and foremost, I think the landscape is very different now. You look back at that time, we were just sort of coming out the other side of COVID, and as a team we'd spent 20-odd games in those kind of environments,” Root told Sky Sports. “And if I'm being brutally honest, I think having to do that for so long, it wasn't really the in-game stuff that wore me down. It was the stuff that surrounded it, and being involved in things that weren't what you'd normally expect to be involved in as an England captain.”
Root said the prolonged circumstances eventually affected both his enjoyment of the role and his ability to get the best out of himself and his players.
“I think they sort of bled into everything else, and it got to a point where I wasn't enjoying it anymore, I wasn't getting the best out myself, certainly wasn't getting the best out of the players,” he said. “But I also think that was a byproduct of having to live the way that we were living for such a long period of time. You marry that up with playing India twice and Australia as well within that period, it makes things very difficult, and it got to the point where it was time for someone else to take over.”
Four years changed Root’s perspective
Root believes the time away from captaincy has given him a different understanding of the game and left him uniquely prepared for another stint as leader.
“And the last four years have been probably four of the most enjoyable of my career. I got to see the game slightly differently, look at it through a different lens, which, as you know, once you've captained, you do look at the game slightly differently afterwards,” he said. “And I feel in a really unique position now where I have that experience. Not many people get the chance to do it again. And the world is a very different place. I've four years more experience, a lot more games under my belt, worked with Brendan and Baz in a slightly different capacity, and feel really readied for the challenge that lies ahead.”
Asked why he was confident the captaincy would not affect him in the same way again, Root offered a light-hearted response.
“Yeah, I mean, unless we find ourselves in another pandemic. No, I think things are very different now, and how I manage my way through that will be very different as well.”
Root ‘gutted’ by McCullum exit, backs Fleming
Root also admitted he was disappointed by Brendan McCullum’s departure as Test coach, having credited him with bringing out the best in his cricket.
“Yeah. I mean, I'll be honest with you, I was gutted when I found out Brendan was no longer going to be the Test coach. He's someone that I feel has really got the best out of me personally,” Root said. “I've loved the way he sees the game and the way that he's opened my eyes up to looking at it slightly differently, even after 120-odd games or whatever it was by the time he took over.”
Root said he was pleased McCullum would continue with England’s white-ball teams and added: “someone that I owe a huge amount to. I've become pretty close with over that period of time as well.”
At the same time, Root expressed excitement about working with new Test coach Stephen Fleming, whom he has admired since his playing days.
“We've crossed paths a bit over the last few years when he's coached different teams around the world, but someone I've always admired,” Root said.
He praised Fleming’s experience, calmness and record in high-pressure environments, adding that the new coach “creates a brilliant environment for the lads to thrive in.”
