Joe Root's reappointment as England Test captain criticised as 'retrograde step' by Mark Butcher

Mark Butcher has criticised the decision to reappoint Joe Root as England captain, describing his return to the position as “a retrograde step” for the Test side.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday that Root will reclaim the position he gave up to Ben Stokes in 2022, while former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was also confirmed as Brendon McCullum’s replacement as Test head coach.

Root, who has captained England on a record 65 occasions – most recently when deputising for Stokes for one match against New Zealand earlier this summer – ended his original five-year tenure with just one victory coming from his final 17 matches as skipper.

After Root stepped down, England underwent a major transition under the leadership of Stokes and McCullum, playing a more aggressive brand of cricket that initially yielded strong results and superb entertainment before ending on a sour note with eight losses in the last 12 games.

Sky Sports pundit Butcher, who made 71 Test appearances for England from 1997-2004, said: “Sadly, I’m not surprised. I was hoping that was a decision they weren’t going to make.

“Joe has already captained England 65 times now after that game at The Oval in the middle of that chaotic New Zealand series.

“Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, Rob Key were the reaction to Joe Root’s captaincy the first time around. This revolutionising of the way we play Test match cricket came off the back of 17 Test matches with only one victory under Joe.”

The ECB’s decision has been made amid a shortage of options, with Stokes’ sudden retirement from international cricket leaving his vice-captain – and England limited-overs skipper – Harry Brook as the only credible alternative to Root.

The decision was also time-pressured, with England starting a three-match Test series against Pakistan at Headingley on August 19. It also now appears highly likely that Root will lead England into next summer’s home Ashes series against Australia.

Root, the second highest run-scorer in Test history, revealed soon after stepping down as captain in 2022 that his relationship with the role had become “very unhealthy” and cited the “toll” of his years in charge.

“Joe was completely wrung out at the end of his time as captain for five years,” Butcher said.

“The best thing that happened to him and his game was not being captain any more. His batting since has been on a different level and I rather hoped it would stay that way, and he would be a loyal lieutenant to Harry Brook or whoever they decided was going to get the job on a permanent basis.

“I think it’s a retrograde step for the team when they had an opportunity to go forward again having learned the lessons of the recent past under Stokes and McCullum. I cannot agree with that as a call.

“Joe is a brilliant player, absolutely sensational, there’s nothing that you can say against him on that level. I just don’t think it’s the best move for him to be captain at this moment in time, or at any other moment in time actually.”

Fleming-Root partnership will be exceptional

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has labelled Fleming a fantastic appointment by the ECB and believes his ex-team-mate’s track record of success in T20 cricket will make for an exceptional coach-captain partnership with Root.

“You’ll see something different from Stephen Fleming,” Doull told Sky Sports News. “McCullum was a good appointment at the time. England cricket needed unlocking, it needed freedom, but after 18 months they needed a bit more coaching to improve once that structure was unlocked.

“That is what Stephen Fleming will bring. He’s very structured, he’s a real methodical thinker about the game, but also quite innovative. You can see that with the success he’s had in T20 cricket around the world.

“He’s coming back to red-ball cricket for the first time in a long time, but I think it’s a fantastic appointment. Following on from Brendon, I think it is exactly what England need.”

Doull continued: “The combination with Joe Root will be an exceptional one.

“Tactically, Fleming is incredibly sound. As a captain, he was the best I played under and was highly regarded around the world.

“I don’t think he has a coaching style as such, but he works incredibly well with whoever he’s got in his team, whether they are young or experienced players.”

England vs Pakistan Test series schedule

All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports

First Test (Headingley) – Wednesday August 19-Sunday August 23 (11am)
Second Test (Lord’s) – Thursday August 27-Monday August 31 (11am)
Third Test (Edgbaston) – Wednesday September 9-Sunday September 13 (11am)

Watch the three-Test series between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from August 19. Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.

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