Joe Root set to be renamed England Test captain

Joe Root is set to be renamed England’s Test captain ahead of their three-match series against Pakistan next month, according to The Athletic. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are in search of a new captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket at the end of their series against New Zealand. 

It seems like the search would end with the Yorkshireman taking the reins of the side four years after passing over the baton to Stokes ahead of the 2022 summer, which ultimately kickstarted the ‘Bazball’ era alongside head coach Brendon McCullum. 

It is worth mentioning that Root took charge of the Test side on an interim basis during the second Test against the Kiwis at the Oval in the wake of Stokes’ unavailability following the infamous nightclub controversy. England, however, suffered a 253-run defeat on that occasion, resulting in a 2-1 series defeat. 

According to the aforementioned source, Root’s second stint as England’s Test captain could extend to next summer’s home Ashes series against Australia. This will allow fellow Yorkshireman and current Test vice-captain Harry Brook to focus on his role as white-ball captain without burdening him with leadership of all three formats. 

Should Root take charge of the side, his first proper assignment will be a three-match series against South Africa away from home. However, as a good omen for the Three Lions, they won their last series in Africa 3-1 back in 2020 under the leadership of the talismanic batter. Root will also captain England against Australia in a one-off day-night Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket after a series away to Bangladesh.

Marcus Trescothick set to be appointed interim head coach

Apart from a Test captain, England also needed a new red-ball head coach after McCullum stood down from the role. According to The Athletic, current batting coach Marcus Trescothick could take charge of the side on an interim basis for the home series against Pakistan, starting from August 19.

There is still a minute possibility that the ECB will announce a permanent coach ahead of the three-match series. However, it is far more likely that the former opening batter will be in the dugout for the series against Pakistan. The reports also suggest that Richard Dawson, the current head coach of Glamorgan, could serve as an assistant, giving him some much-needed experience since he is also on the head coach shortlist. 

England’s search for a Test coach took a setback when Andy Flower ruled himself out of contention to focus on his franchise duties with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and London Spirit.