Top Job Would Be No Burden For Root- Look At Kholi, Smith And Williamson

Alison Mitchell argues there is no place for conservatism as England decide on a new captain, and that Joe Root’s age is of no relevance

- Alison Mitchell

If Joe Root is appointed the new England captain, he could climb to truly great heights as a Test batsman. Already averaging 52.8 in that format, he has the talent and verve to join Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson in a quartet of the most exciting and gifted young Test captains the game has ever seen at one time.

There are some who feel Root, 26, shouldn’t be captain. The chief reason cited is that he is the best batsman in the side and that the pressure and burden of captaincy might negatively affect his batting. That is a negative argument to make; a conservative, ‘English’ argument.

The more forward-thinking attitude is to view Test captaincy not as a burden to weigh heavily on young shoulders, but as a thrilling privilege. The new captain, if it is to be Root, might just relish the opportunity, status and responsibility of captaincy. He may find that his batting moves to greater levels. 

Kohli averaged just over 41 before being appointed India’s Test captain. He has averaged 60 since. Williamson averaged a shade over 49 when he was made captain of New Zealand. He has averaged 55 in ten Tests since. Smith’s average increased from 51 to more than 69 as full-time captain of Australia (73 if you count the Tests he captained prior to Michael Clarke’s actual retirement).

In January, Smith became only the fourth batsman in Test history to secure a 60-plus average after 50 Test matches, and this at the age of 27. Root, incidentally, is 18 months younger than Smith, but has already played three more Test matches than the Australian skipper. He has the experience of Test cricket. He has the experience of vice-captaincy.

Time now to entrust him with the top job.