Ever since he was a young boy in the Yorkshire nets the country’s new Test leader has demonstrated that, experienced or not, he has the heart for the fightWhen Joe Root was 12 he won a prize coveted by every cricket-nut in Yorkshire: a trip to Headingley for a session in the indoor nets. Root and his father arrived early, in time to watch Yorkshire’s batting coach Kevin Sharp pepper the England batsman Anthony McGrath with short balls. Related: Joe Root appointed England Test captain with Ben Stokes his deputy Related: Jason Gillespie says the timing is perfect for Joe Root to become England captain Continue reading...
The record of former England captains as run-scorers is not that encouraging – only David Gower seems to have prospered – but such is Alastair Cook’s single-mindedness he can buck that trend“He’s no Mike Brearley” was a common lament about Alastair Cook. I’m sure I have heard that sentiment spring from the lips of Cook himself – without referring to himself in the third person – and it was not an observation based on the fact Cook has scored an enormous number of runs for England. He recognised that he had limitations as a captain.But there is one point of contact with the old guru. Cook’s departure from the England captaincy has been more graceful and considered than anyone’s since...
A moment of impossible fortune sparked a stunning Super Bowl revival, and reminded us why fightback wins are the most cherished of allIn Fever Pitch, his peerless football fan’s memoir, Nick Hornby describes a cathartic moment in his life. He is watching Arsenal – naturally – and they’re playing in the semi-final of the 1987 Littlewoods Cup. It was hardly the Champions League, but it was an intense affair that mattered a lot at that time, not least because Arsenal’s opponents were their hated neighbours Tottenham Hotspur.It was the third match of the tie, the first two legs ending in a draw, and Spurs were winning with the game drawing to a close. At that time Arsenal were going through...
In his last press conference England’s outgoing captain says he gave it his best shot but admits fallout from Kevin Pietersen sacking took a heavy tollThis time there were no tears or tantrums, spats, scandals, angry words or apologies. Alastair Cook, already unique among England captains in that he has led in more Tests, and scored more runs, than any of the 78 other men who have done the job, achieved another rare feat. He orchestrated a graceful resignation, on his own terms, in his own time, and without controversy.At Lord’s on Tuesday Cook gave his final press conference in the post, in a small, stuffy room high up in the Tavern Stand, the groundstaff working away in the background...
Yorkshireman, who looks set to replace Alastair Cook, is the right leader for the gung ho generation and his county’s record of Test captains augurs wellThe most measured, drama-free departure from the England captaincy in decades will surely be followed by the most uncontentious announcement of Alastair Cook’s successor within the next two weeks. Joe Root is poised to become England’s 80th Test captain. The chances of him being given the job are even greater than that of Celtic winning the Scottish Premiership – and they are currently 27 points ahead of their nearest challengers, Aberdeen.There are arguments against Root but none of them is decisive. There is no necessity for the best player to have the job – but...