Joe Root has challenged England to become better role models and rebuild the standards expected of the national team as he begins his second spell as Test Captain against Pakistan at Headingley. The 35-year-old has returned to the leadership following Ben Stokes’ retirement, taking charge of a side emerging from a turbulent period of poor results, off-field issues and significant changes within the Test set-up.
Root previously captained England from 2017 to 2022 and has led the country in 65 Tests. His return comes after England won only two of their previous 10 Tests, while Stokes’ retirement and Brendon McCullum’s departure as Test coach have brought an end to the leadership partnership that shaped the team over the previous four years.
Root sets standards for new England era
England’s recent difficulties have extended beyond results. Off-field incidents included Harry Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, the team’s drinking during a mid-Ashes trip to Noosa and Stokes breaking a team curfew during the New Zealand series.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Root said, “You always want to represent your country in the best possible light.”
The England Captain acknowledged the team’s recent shortcomings as he outlined the standards he wants his players to uphold.
Root continued, “We might have fallen short of that on a few occasions in the recent past.”
England begin their three-Test series against Pakistan with an immediate opportunity to establish a different tone under Root’s leadership.
He added, “The only thing we can do to rectify that is be really good role models, good human beings and put in really strong performances on the field.”
The first Test at Root’s home ground of Headingley provides the starting point for that process.
Root noted, “The first opportunity to do that is this week.”
Root plans his own approach after Stokes
Root is succeeding the man who originally replaced him as England Captain in 2022. Stokes brought a distinctive approach to the role alongside McCullum, but his retirement means England must now reshape the team without the all-rounder who was central to both its leadership and balance.
Root stated, “He is a very unique player with unbelievable qualities that I don’t think are easy to replicate. I don’t think there is any point trying to.”
The transition will therefore involve a change in leadership identity rather than an attempt to reproduce Stokes’ methods.
He continued, “It is going to have a slightly different look to it but that is OK.”
Root nevertheless sees value in retaining elements developed during the Stokes-McCullum period rather than treating his appointment as a complete reset.
The England Captain observed, “There has been a lot of good stuff that has happened in the past four years that will serve us really well.”
With Stokes no longer available as a player or leader, Root wants England to develop those foundations for a different personnel group.
He added, “It is about not ripping it up, just fine tuning and evolving that and taking that to the next level. We have got to find a way of evolving the team without him.”
England look beyond a fixed Test identity
England became closely associated with aggressive cricket during the previous regime, but Root is not committing his second captaincy tenure to a single method. His approach will instead place greater emphasis on responding to changing match situations.
Root said, “I don’t think there is a huge amount we need to change. It is small things that will make a big difference. It’s not about ripping it up. It’s about keeping a lot of the good stuff Ben and Baz built for a long while, but making small adjustments that will make a big difference.”
That evolution comes as England attempt to recover from a run of two victories in 10 Tests and a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.
Root explained, “I don’t believe there is a style or one way of playing Test cricket. You have to be adaptable and play the situation and the different tempos of the game. It’s never the same through five days. There are different challenges, and you have to adjust to the ebbs and flows throughout that.”
Previous captaincy gives Root a different perspective
Root returns to the job with substantially more leadership experience than when he first became England Captain in 2017. He has also had four years outside the permanent role to assess his first tenure and experience a different environment under Stokes and McCullum.
The veteran of 166 Tests reflected, “In many ways I feel as ready as any England captain that has been before. To have that amount of experience is invaluable. I am very fortunate that I have 60-odd games of experience to look back on, things I might want to change and do slightly differently, then have the time to step away, play under a different environment under a different coach.”
England are also entering a transitional period in their coaching structure. Stephen Fleming has been appointed to succeed McCullum but will not take charge until the winter, leaving batting coach Marcus Trescothick to oversee the Pakistan series on an interim basis.
Root concluded, “It is new. There has been a lot of change, but that is OK. That is not anything to worry us. We should be excited about what lies ahead in this series and being really absorbed in these three games, celebrating the talent we have within there.”
England begin Pakistan series at Headingley
England are expected to make changes for the opening Test, with Jacob Bethell unavailable through injury. Jordan Cox is set to bat at No. 3, while Dan Lawrence has been recalled and is expected to occupy the No. 6 position vacated by Stokes while offering an off-spin option.
England also have multiple pace options available, including Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse and Matt Fisher.
Pakistan will be without Babar Azam for the first Test after the batter was ruled out with a hand injury. Salman Ali Agha will captain the tourists in Babar’s absence as Root begins his second England captaincy tenure with the first of three Tests at Headingley.
