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Joe Root insists he is ready for England Test captaincy

By Paul Vinnell

Wednesday 15 February 2017 19:30, UK

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Joe Root says he wants to be an instinctive captain and lead a 'tough' England to the next level

Joe Root insists he is ready for the England captaincy despite just four first-class games as skipper.

The Yorkshire batsman has replaced Alastair Cook as Test skipper at the age of 26, but he says his five years in international cricket plus being England vice-captain is enough preparation for the top job in English cricket.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I've played 50-odd Test matches now and I think that counts for a lot.

"I think it's very different, Test cricket to county cricket. I've added that responsibility of the vice-captaincy.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Joe Root of England wlaks out onto the pitch as he poses for photos during a Joe Root Press Conference at Headingley on Febr
Image: Root poses for photos in front of the national media

"Even though I haven't been captain I've been trying to think like a captain to try to help Cooky out, and add value where I can to the bowlers or anyone in the team.

"I'd like to think that's how a lot of the guys will go about their business going forwards as well."

Root revealed that he was offered the job by Andrew Strauss, Director of England Cricket, in a phone call on Sunday - just as he changed baby son Alfie's nappy.

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LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Joe Root of England poses for a portrait infront of a picture of Ex England Cricketer, Lord Hawke during a Joe Root Press Co
Image: Root poses for a portrait in front of a picture of former Yorkshire and England cricketer Lord Hawke

"On Sunday afternoon I'd just taken Alfie for a nappy change," he said. "Then I got a rather nice call from Straussy where he said 'this is that one call in your life where you get offered the England captaincy and we'd love to you take the role.'

"Immediately I accepted it. It was my dad's birthday weekend so I went out for Sunday dinner with the family. It really brought together what has been a lovely couple of months in our family's lives."

England captain Alastair Cook celebrates with Joe Root after winning the 4th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia
Image: Root (right) has taken over the captaincy from Alastair Cook (left)

Root has been tipped as an England captain since his teenage years and he admits that leading his country was something he had dreamed of doing.

"It feels amazing. It's been a very special couple of days," he said. "As a young kid you always aspire to be England captain. It's the pinnacle of the Test arena. It's always something you aspire to do.

"More recently it's not something I've set goals on. It's hopefully been quite a natural progression into this role and I'm just really excited now about all the challenges that are coming my way in the next few months and beyond."

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