There are second acts in cricket, and then there are genuine redemption arcs. Joe Root's return to the England Test captaincy feels like something altogether more compelling — a man who once admitted the job was damaging his wellbeing, now stepping back into the breach with clarity, confidence, and a new support structure around him. As a former coach, I've seen plenty of leaders burn out under the weight of expectation. What Root is describing sounds different. It sounds sustainable.
A Captaincy That Once Took Its Toll
Root first took the England Test captaincy in 2017 and went on to lead the side in a record 64 matches, overseeing 28 victories — also a record for an England skipper. But the final chapter of that tenure was painful. A 4-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia, a Covid-disrupted schedule, and a team that won just one of their last 17 Tests before Root walked away in April 2022 following a 10-wicket defeat to West Indies. He was candid at the time about the psychological cost, saying the captaincy had become an unhealthy relationship that followed him home from the ground. The relief when he stepped down, he admitted, was immediate and profound.
Liberated — and Now Reloaded
What followed his resignation was some of the finest batting of Root's already extraordinary career. Since June 2022, he has averaged over 54 with the bat — a significant uplift on the 46.44 average he posted across the five years he was captain. Sixteen of his 41 Test centuries have come in that post-captaincy period. That form will naturally prompt questions about whether taking on the leadership again could disrupt his batting output. It's a fair concern. But Root himself appears untroubled by it, telling BBC Sport: "I'm in a very different place to the last time I did it with a team in a very different position." That quiet self-assurance is encouraging.
The Fleming Factor
A significant part of Root's eagerness to return stems from the appointment of Stephen Fleming as England's incoming head coach. Fleming is no ordinary hire — like Root, he holds his country's records for most Tests as captain and most wins in the role, bringing a wealth of first-hand experience of leading a side over an extended period. Root has spoken warmly about the alignment he felt after their initial conversations, describing Fleming's energy and enthusiasm as infectious. It is worth noting that Fleming won't formally join the setup until December's tour of South Africa, but the connection already formed clearly gave Root the confidence he needed to say yes. The right coach can make all the difference to a captain's willingness to embrace the role.
Pakistan at Headingley — The Perfect Launchpad
Root's second full-time tenure begins on home soil, with Pakistan visiting Headingley on 19 August. There will be no shortage of narrative around that fixture — Root was born in Sheffield, and leading England at his home ground carries obvious emotional weight. From a betting perspective, England's odds to win the series will likely shorten further as confidence grows around the new leadership partnership, with the home advantage and Root's recent batting form making them strong favourites. Interim stints aside — Root stepped in briefly in June when Ben Stokes missed the second Test against New Zealand — this will be the real test of whether the reset is complete.
My read? Root at 35, settled in his batting, energised by a new coaching partnership, and freed from the baggage of that difficult first stint, could prove a more astute and relaxed captain than before. England may well have stumbled upon the right man at the right time — again.
