Joe Root, the most experienced Test captain in England's cricket history, has given his full backing to current white-ball captain Jos Buttler. Root, who led England in 64 Tests from 2017 to 2022, has expressed confidence in Buttler's leadership, suggesting that Buttler is excelling in some areas where Root himself faced challenges. As England gears up for crucial matches against Afghanistan and South Africa in the Champions Trophy, Root's endorsement comes at a pivotal moment.
During his tenure as Test captain, Root secured a record 27 wins, yet faced significant challenges toward the end, including two heavy Ashes series defeats in Australia and a solitary win in his last 17 matches. Despite these struggles, Root remains a significant figure in England cricket, recently scoring 165 runs in a match where England posted 351-8. However, his efforts were not enough to secure victory, with England losing by five wickets.
"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's comments come as England braces for a crucial clash against Afghanistan on Wednesday and a must-win match against South Africa on Saturday. To avoid an early exit from the Champions Trophy, England needs victories in both encounters.
Facing challenges ahead, England is expected to make strategic changes to their lineup. Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the tournament due to a toe injury. In his place, Rehan Ahmed has been called up, although he is not expected to arrive in Pakistan until Wednesday. Jamie Overton is likely to fill Carse's spot for the upcoming match.
"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
Buttler, known for his exceptional skills and leadership qualities, has been credited with fostering a positive team environment. He remains optimistic about the team's prospects, emphasizing the importance of focusing on their strengths.
"The fact that we are doing a lot of things right is a good thing and that's what we have to really focus on." – Jos Buttler
Root also acknowledged the progress being made under Buttler's captaincy.
"I certainly think that this team are doing more things right than maybe some of the teams I captained," – Joe Root
Leave a Reply