Joe Root, who helmed the England Test cricket team from 2017 to 2022, has offered candid reflections on his tenure as captain, while also praising his successor, Jos Buttler, for his leadership prowess. Root captained England in 64 Tests, achieving a record 27 victories, marking him as the most experienced player to have led the side in Tests. Despite these accomplishments, Root's leadership faced challenges, culminating in a win-loss record of 1-17 in his final 18 Tests before resigning in 2022.
Root's captaincy journey saw both triumphs and trials. While he secured a record number of wins, his tenure was marred by two significant Ashes series defeats in Australia. These setbacks contributed to a period of reflection and ultimately led to his decision to step down. His leadership style, characterized by a strong personality and the ability to motivate his team, garnered both praise and scrutiny during his years at the helm.
In a recent statement, Root acknowledged the challenges he faced but chose to focus on the positive aspects of his leadership.
"What I would say is you can be frustrated by it or you can be excited by it," – Joe Root
Root expressed admiration for Buttler, who has taken over the captaincy reins and is steering the team with a fresh approach. Root highlighted Buttler's exceptional decision-making skills and the supportive environment he has fostered within the team.
"He's doing so much right on the field, making good decisions and creating a really good environment for us to thrive in." – Joe Root
Root further lauded Buttler's leadership abilities, emphasizing his impact as one of England's finest white-ball players and commending the support he receives from the team.
"He's a brilliant leader. He's the best white-ball player we've ever produced and he's got the full support of everyone within our dressing room to keep doing and keep bringing everything that he's brought so far to this team." – Joe Root
Reflecting on his own captaincy in comparison to Buttler’s current approach, Root offered an honest assessment.
"I certainly think that this team are doing more things right than maybe some of the teams I captained," – Joe Root
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