Joe Root to continue as England Test captain, says Andrew Strauss | Cricket News

Sir Andrew Strauss on Joe Root: “Having spoken to him, it is absolutely clear the extent of his commitment to taking this England cricket team forward. He has got incredible motivation and energy to do that”

Andrew Strauss has backed Joe Root to stay on as captain of the England men’s Test team

Sir Andrew Strauss has confirmed that Joe Root will continue as captain of the England men’s Test team for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Strauss, addressing the media for the first time in his new role as the interim managing director of England men’s cricket, said Root’s commitment as captain of the Test team was “absolutely clear” despite a hugely difficult winter which saw his side beaten 4-0 in The Ashes series in Australia.

Head coach Chris Silverwood and former managing director Ashley Giles were both sacked this week, while it has also been confirmed that batting coach Graham Thorpe will also be “moving on from his role”, according to Strauss.

Strauss did also stress that his position was purely on an ‘interim’ basis, saying: “my role is to prepare the team for the West Indies series and potentially recommend some structural changes to the England cricket department.”

Strauss said: “It goes without saying it has been a particularly bruising period for the England Test team in particular over the last few months. No one likes to see English cricket in the headlines in the way it has been recently.

“When Tom [Harrison] asked me to step in on an interim basis, anyone who has a passion for English cricket wants to play their role and I’m very happy to do so.

He added: “I don’t pretend to have all of the answers to all of the potential issues in English cricket at the moment but, obviously, I’ll be working hard to try and navigate our way through that.”

On Root remaining as England Test skipper, Strauss said: “Having spoken to him, it is absolutely clear the extent of his commitment to taking this England cricket team forward. He has got incredible motivation and energy to do that.

“He is bruised, hugely disappointed by what went on in the Ashes – that goes without saying and many others are in the same boat – but he has the respect of the players, they all play for him and obviously he sets a magnificent example both on and off the field.

“I’m very happy to give him my support, and make sure that we’ve got the right sort of structure around him to take the pressure off him and allow him to do his job on the pitch.”

More to follow…