England’s seasoned Test captain, Joe Root, has made it clear that he feels "as ready as any other England skipper" and has no intention of tearing down the Bazball framework that has defined the team’s recent approach. Root, who has now captained England a record 65 times, first led the side from 2017 until 2022, a period that concluded with a disappointing stretch of just one victory in 17 Tests, prompting Ben Stokes to assume the role alongside head coach Brendon McCullum. After a promising start to the Bazball era, the momentum faltered with a 2-1 series loss to New Zealand earlier this summer. That defeat coincided with Stokes announcing his retirement from international cricket during the final Test, and it also led to McCullum’s dismissal as the red‑ball head coach.
Despite these upheavals, Root believes only minor adjustments are required. "I don’t think there’s a huge amount we need to change. It’s the small things that will make a big difference," Root said ahead of the three‑Test series against Pakistan, which kicks off on Wednesday at Headingley and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10 a.m. (first ball at 11 a.m.).
He emphasized that the goal isn’t to discard the existing system but to preserve the strengths that Ben Stokes and Bazball have cultivated over several years. "It’s not about ripping it up; it’s about keeping a lot of the good stuff we’ve been doing for a period of time, the things Ben and Baz built for a long while," he explained.
Root also highlighted the need for flexibility in Test cricket. "I don’t believe there is one way of playing Test cricket.
You have to be adaptable and respond to the situation. The five‑day game never stays the same – there are different challenges each day, and you must adjust to the ebbs and flows," he added. Regarding his own readiness, the 35‑year‑old made it evident that he feels fully prepared to shoulder the captaincy once more. "The landscape is different now.
I’m a different player and a different person than when I first took over as captain," he said. "I’m in a very fortunate, unique position where I have 60‑odd games of experience to look back on. There are things I might want to change and do slightly differently, but I’ve had time away, played in a different environment under a different coach and captain, and seen the game from another perspective." He continued, "In many ways I feel as ready as any other England captain that has come before me; having that amount of experience is invaluable.
I’m really excited, and to start at Headingley – my home ground – is always nice. It’s a very talented group of players capable of doing special things, and I’m thrilled about where we can take this team." White‑ball skipper Harry Brook, who also serves as the Test vice‑captain, was passed over for the role in Stokes’ absence during the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, and will remain the deputy for the permanent job after Stokes’ retirement. Root confirmed Brook will stay as the No 2 in the Test side and stressed that their relationship remains strong. "Our relationship is exactly as it has been for a long time.
Harry and I are good friends and get along well off the field, and we clearly bring out the best in each other when we play together. He’s been hugely supportive, and I fully feel he’s got my back, as the rest of the guys do. He’ll be invaluable." Root also reflected on the void left by Stokes. "It’s a big void to fill.
He’s been ever‑present for the best part of 15 years. It’s been different, but we’ve only been together as a full team for a day and a half," he admitted, underscoring the challenge of rebuilding a side that has lost both its charismatic leader and a key middle‑order stabiliser. When asked about his own future beyond the current series, especially with a home Ashes series on the horizon in 2027, Root was cautious. "Who knows?
That’s a question for Ben. We need to look after the here and now, and that’s this series," he said, emphasizing a short‑term focus.
On the Pakistani side, captain Babar Azam is ruled out of the opening Test at Headingley due to a finger injury. He initially suffered a blow to his right hand against the West Indies earlier in the month, and a subsequent impact from England Under‑19 pacer Manny Lumsden in a tour match at Beckenham forced him to retire hurt as a precaution. Although medical scans have cleared him of a fracture, the swelling remains, and he has not been cleared to lead the side at Headingley. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that Salman Ali Agha will take the captaincy for the first Test, adding, "It’s not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger.
Hopefully he will be available for the second Test." Babar’s absence deprives Pakistan not only of their leader but also of one of their most prolific batsmen, who boasts nine Test centuries and a career average of 43.68. In his stead, Saud Shakeel is expected to be drafted into the XI after missing the West Indies series. Sky Sports reporter James Cole summed up the situation for England: "It’s old shoes for Joe Root; he’s got all the experience behind him and he seemed relaxed.
He is inheriting a big rebuilding job. England have lost seven of their last ten Tests, they’ve lost head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who was the cornerstone of a unique, attacking brand of cricket called Bazball." Cole noted the additional challenges: the loss of Stokes from the middle order removes a balancing figure between bat and ball, while opener Emilio Gay has only three Tests to his name and is currently out of form, and rookie Jordan Cox has batted at number three just once. Dan Lawrence returns as a spin‑bowling all‑rounder option, but he has not played a Test in two years.
"Root has a lot on his hands, but he’s up for the challenge," Cole concluded. The first Test between England and Pakistan will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15 a.m.
on Wednesday, with the first ball bowled at 11 a.m. Viewers can also watch via the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free streaming of cricket and other sports.