0.1 per cent chance: Joe Root digs old jacket out of garage to return to Test captaincy
Joe Root walked into his pre-match press conference at The Oval knowing that the piece of clothing he truly believed had been retired for good would soon be back in action.
On the eve of England’s second Test against New Zealand, the veteran batsman once again found himself in front of the media as England’s Test captain, a scenario he thought had virtually no chance of ever happening.
“0.1 per cent,” Root smiled as he recalled the extraordinary week that forced him back into the captain’s jacket he relinquished four years ago.
“I never thought I’d be sitting here talking to you as captain again. It was in a cupboard in the garage. When I took it off it was a bit wrinkled, there were about 30 old team sheets in the pocket that I had to take out. I had to check they were still on,” he said.
The carefree image of Root rummaging in his garage offered a welcome distraction but failed to mask the administrative crisis currently gripping English cricket.
After that, Root was drafted as the alternate captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The pair are being investigated by cricket’s regulator after an alleged late-night altercation at a Chelsea nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning, just hours after England’s emphatic first Test win at Lord’s.
Reports since then suggest that an An ECB security guard was hit during a confrontation inside the venuewhere Stokes was reportedly seen socializing with members of the England rugby squad.
The timing of the incident is particularly damaging for Stokes. The all-rounder has been instrumental in imposing strict team curfews following a number of previous off-field controversies, including last year’s Ashes episode, and widespread reports now suggest he could be permanently stripped of the captaincy. Some sources close to the player even hinted that he is thinking about retirement.
Unsurprisingly, the incident has reignited criticism from pundits over what many perceive as an overly permissive drinking culture within English cricket. However, Root was quick to defend the character of the dressing room while acknowledging the mistakes.
“It was disappointing,” admitted Root.
“Now there have been several occasions where we have let ourselves down and let each other down. We have to learn from those mistakes and understand that we shouldn’t be in those situations.”
“But I also don’t think it’s a fair reflection of our locker room. This is an incredibly professional group that works extremely hard. Everyone gives everything in every practice and every day. We have to show people that. We have to show that this week by performing on the field.”
“STOKES COTTAGES WILL REMAIN PRIVATE”
Joe Root says Ben Stokes still has the respect of the dressing room (Photo Reuters)
When pressed about his close friend’s state of mind, Root was understandably guarded and refused to discuss private conversations.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him,” Root said.
“I have spoken to him several times over the past week. We are close friends and these conversations should remain private.”
When asked how Stokes was coping with the personal and professional pressure surrounding the investigation, Root again declined to elaborate.
“It’s fair to say there have been tough times during my five years as captain,” he said. “As for how Ben feels and how he’s doing, those are questions he has to answer for himself, and I’m sure he will when the time comes.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations and the uncertainty surrounding Stokes’ future, Root insisted his standing in the dressing room remains undiminished.
“I’m sure he has the respect of everyone in our dressing room,” Root stressed.
“He’s been a phenomenal leader for a number of years. We’ve achieved some great things as a team and won a lot of Test matches. He’s obviously a talismanic player and a great friend to a lot of the lads. He’s got huge respect throughout the group.”
Whether that respect will be enough to sustain his position long-term remains to be seen.
IS ROOT READY FOR FULL-TIME CAPTAINSHIP?
Should the ECB decide that a permanent change of leadership is required, Root would inevitably emerge as a prime candidate to return to the role. For now, though, the former captain is only focused on the immediate challenge of facing New Zealand.
“I don’t think it’s fair for me to make those kinds of decisions or answer those kinds of questions,” Root said when asked about a permanent return.
“Those decisions are for people in a different position than me. It’s very much a game-by-game situation. Let’s focus on this week. That’s the most important thing – trying to put in a really strong performance.”
“It’s a young group of players and if I can use my experience to help them this week then that’s what I’ll focus on.”
For all the noise off the field, Root admitted there was a degree of personal satisfaction in working alongside Brendon McCullum in such a different capacity.
“I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of days working with Baz in a slightly different role,” he said.
“One thing I’ve been jealous of in a good way is the opportunity to work with Baz in that capacity. It’s been really nice. It’s a very different team than what we had last week, but it’s also exciting. Getting these guys out there and helping shape how we operate this week is something I’m looking forward to.”
England will require all of Root’s legendary composure in the coming days. Faced with a cultural crisis and the absence of its talismanic captain, English cricket has once again turned to the man whose old blazer has been gathering dust in a garage cupboard, hoping it still carries some of its stabilizing magic.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
16 Jun 2026 19:54 IST