“I’ve got a lot of experience behind me now in Test cricket and I feel that I would have something to offer”
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Joe Root admitted that he has dreams of captaining England in Test cricket, but made it clear that he wants to see Alastair Cook continue leading the national team.
There has been an abundance of speculation surrounding Cook’s future as Test captain ever since the start of England’s tour of India as he told The Cricket Magazine: “Deep down I don’t know how much longer I am going to carry on. It could be two months, it could be a year.”
During the five-Test series in India, Cook also conceded that Root, who is currently the Test team’s vice-captain, is ready to be promoted to the top leadership position.
Even after England lost the series 4-0, Cook said that he needed time to think about whether he should remain as captain. This further fuelled speculation that Cook was leaning towards stepping down as captain.
When asked if he thought he was ready to lead England in the longest format if Cook decided to step down, Root, who recently became a father, said: “I’d like to think so. It’s one of those things you have to learn on the job. Being a dad you don’t know what to do until you just sort of go with it and see how it goes. I imagine that it would be very similar.
“I’ve got a lot of experience behind me now in Test cricket and I feel that I would have something to offer but hopefully it won’t come to that. Cooky’s a great leader. We’ll see what happens.
“I’ve not spoken to him about it. It’s a decision that Cooky has to make and be comfortable with and what he thinks is going to be best for this team.
“For me, I do think he is going to be great to take this team forward, if he thinks he’s at the end of his tether then fair enough to him, he’s been a fantastic leader, but I do think it’s a decision that needs to come from him and he does need to be given his space so he can do that.”
While it is clear that Root’s ambitions of captaining his country in Test cricket could come to fruition very soon, the 26-year-old pointed out that Cook will still have a massive role to play for England cricket regardless of the decision he makes.
“I do think he’ll make a decision in the best interests of the team, and in my opinion it would be great if he did stay on and lead this team forward. I think he’s got a lot to offer,” Root told Sky Sports. “Regardless of what decision he makes – whether he’s captain or not – he will continue to be a massive leader and a focal part of this team moving forward.
“There’s plenty of time until the next Test match and we’ll just have to see what happens. Every player dreams of being England captain, but we’ll have to wait and see.
“I do enjoy playing under Cooky – he’s a great captain, a great leader and he has the full respect of this dressing room.
“We’re all desperate to see him continue, but I’m sure it’s a very difficult decision for him to make and he should be left to choose what he wants to do in his own time and when he’s ready.”