Should Joe Root Quit As Captain?

[grumpy01]

Joe Root is undoubtedly our best batsman.However he is not a test Captain and I think for the good of the team and himself he should stand aside and concentrate on his batting.Unfortunately,due to lack of anyone else,he may have to continue.A very difficult situation.

[Buenchico]

So who would you replace him with then?

Please, please, please don't say Ben Stokes. Being a good all-rounder isn't the same as being a good captain! (Botham, for example, was a great all rounder but he never had the first clue about captaincy).

It might be worth looking to the short-form game, where either the captain from that format, Eoin Morgan, could be given a try or possibly the vice-captain, Jos Buttler. Dawid Malan has proved himself to be a decent captain in county cricket too.

[grumpy01]

I and I am sure many other people don't know.I wouldn't even consider Ben Stokes given his recent mental health issues,he is another who needs to concentrate on playing.The basis of the problem is at County level where the captain's are either inelligible for England or not up too test standard as players.Perhaps Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad might be worth a try.

[Buenchico]

While I'm not saying that Anderson or Broad are too old for inclusion in the England team these days, I really think that we ought to be looking to the future and developing the talents of younger players (with captaincy being one of those talents).

Will Rhodes captained Warwickshire to win the County Championship last season as well as taking the helm for the County Select XI against India. He's also captained England at U19 level. At the age of 27, he's got the experience to lead England at Test level, while still retaining enough youth to be playing at the highest level for several years to come.

[douglas9401]

The answer may lie in managing expectations rather than casting around for a miracle.

[grumpy01]

I hadn't thought of him Buenchicho.He would certainly have a valid claim but for whatever reason the powers that be have overlooked him.I was reading this morning also about Matt Parkinson he is supposed to be our first choice leg spinner yet he has been on drinks duty for the entire tour.