“I think he’s looking forward to the opportunity to just go and bat”

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England Test captain Joe Root has backed his predecessor Alastair Cook to “smash every record” now that he can solely focus on his batting.

Cook stepped down as Test captain earlier this month and Root was appointed his successor, while Ben Stokes was handed the role of vice-captain.

With Cook now assuming the role of a specialist opening batsman, there is no doubt he will have an eye on breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs scored in Test history.

While Cook, who has 11,057 Test runs to his name right now, is still miles away from catching up to Tendulkar, who amassed 15,921 runs in his illustrious career, Root doesn’t see any reason why the 32-year-old cannot surpass the ‘Little Master’ and go on to break even more records.

“It’s going to be a great help, having that experience and advice around the dressing room,” Root said. “I think he’s looking forward to the opportunity to just go and bat, hopefully he’s going to smash every record going.

“It would be nice to see him just enjoy his batting and go on and break every record going.”

Root’s first assignment as Test captain will be against South Africa in July, but the 26-year-old admitted that he is looking forward to the Ashes series in Australia at the end of the year.

“I can’t wait for the Ashes,” Root said. “We should all be very excited about that.

“We have a great blend of experience and raw talent.”