Joe Root has been one of the most skilled, resolute and consistent performers with the bat for England since a long time and among the classiest of batters in the international game. His knowledge about the game, the ability to defy the best of attacks and the skill to come good even under pressure have helped him command legions of Test cricket fans. And it’s rare for a cricketer to enjoy the regard and respect of commentators from the past and current era, which makes Root stand shoulder to shoulder with greats and contemporaries like Virat Kohli, for instance.

But what’s just as remarkable and worth noting about the Yorkshireman whose performances with the bat are about as brilliant as his tall frame is the fact that he carried himself well as captain. While that was back in the day after which Ben Stokes took over as England’s captain, here is Root again.

He’s ready to lead England once again at a very interesting time where not only do they no longer have the services of the evergreen legend Jimmy Anderson with the red ball, but also do not have the luxury of fielding Ben Stokes, now a former cricketer. And with Bazball’s inventor Brendon McCullum himself out as coach of the red ball side, the current era of English cricket is stymied by change.

Amid these changing vagaries, a crucial stabilising as well as perpetuating factor is the veteran cricket legend Joe Root. He’s ready for the challenge and clearly looks the part of a man who’s committed to English cricket captaincy in its red ball conception, again.  

The following is how the man who had stepped down from the position in 2022, but not before leading the side in a good 65 games had to say about his new challenge:

"Im as ready as ever! I do not believe there is one way of playing Test cricket. You have got to be adaptable and play the situation. It is never the same throughout five days, there is different challenges and you have got to adjust to the ebbs and flows throughout." "I am in a very fortunate, unique position where I have got 60-odd games of experience to look back on. There are things I might want to change and do slightly differently. I had time to step away, play in a different environment, under a different coach, different captain, and see the game from a different lens," Root further stated.

He added, "In many ways I feel as ready as any other England captain that's been before; to have that amount of experience is invaluable!”