BROOTAL

No doubt Joe will hammer rivals now the weight of leading side’s been lifted SAYS PAUL FARBRACE

- GARY FITZGERALD

JOE ROOT will thrive as just another foot soldier in the England ranks after stepping down as captain.

Former coach Paul Farbrace expects Root to have a scorching hot summer with the bat now he has had the leadership stress and pressure lifted from his broad shoulders.

Farbrace insists the Yorkshireman has made the correct decision to quit the post at the end of a miserable winter and at the start of a summer where the Test side desperately need to bounce back with some success on the field.

Root, 31, quit after five years in the job having led the side to a record number of Test wins, 27 from the 64 games he was in charge.

He had a sudden change of mind having claimed after the 4-0 Ashes loss and the series defeat in the Windies that he wanted to stay as captain. The side has endured its worst run since 1980 of just one win in 17 Tests.