After England lost to West Indies on day four of the third and final test match it led to severe questions being asked about the future of Joe Root’s captaincy and whether he should be stripped of that role.
The Yorkshire player is leading England through their toughest phase with only one win in their last 17 Test Matches; this is England’s worst run since the 1980’s. Many former players are arguing that Root should be replaced as captain including ex-England and Yorkshire Captain Michael Vaughan who spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live and said; “He’s taken it as far as he possibly can. If he rings me in the next week and asks for some advice I’ll be dead honest – I’d tell him to step down.
Will England be any worse off not having him as a captain? I don’t think they would, because they are going to get his runs and a senior player. They’ll get a great role model – I don’t think there is a better role model in English cricket.”
Root’s captaincy record stands at a record 27 test wins and an astonishing 26 losses. The Sheffield born player has led the side a remarkable 64 times. This has led many to believe Joe reign as captain is swiftly drawing to an end as no England captain has ever lasted as long as Joe Root.
Paul Farbrace who is linked with the vacant England head coach job also spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live and said; “He is still England’s best player but we’ve got a stage where we probably need to say ‘come on, we need someone else’. When he gets home he may think very differently about this.”
Speaking straight after England’s defeat on Monday England’s leading wicket tacker James Anderson hit back at the criticism of Joe Root and backed his captain up. The Lancashire bowler said; “If you get the right people in those two jobs above him then he can still do a really good job.”
Root cut a frustrated and fatigued as he left the field of play and wrote on his Twitter account; “A difficult defeat to take because I really think there were a lot of positives to come from the way we played for the vast majority of this series.”
The Yorkshire man believes that he will be leading the side in the summer but also reiterated that has no qualms with stepping aside if it’s best for the team. The 31-year old firmly believes he has the support of the dressing room and that England are on the right track to achieve great things in the future.
With England’s next Test match in June against New Zealand it raises the question will Joe Root be leading the side?
