Star batter Joe Root is all set to return as England’s Test captain. According to reports in the English media, Root, who tops the list of England’s highest run-scorers in Test cricket, will be reappointed as the team’s Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement. England are set to host Pakistan in a three-match Test series next month, and according to the available information, Root will lead the side in that assignment. It has also been reported that his stint as captain could be extended until next year’s home Ashes series.
Root captained England in Tests from 2017 to 2022 before stepping down due to a series of poor results. He, however, returned as England captain for the second Test of the three-match series against New Zealand in June
2026 but suffered a humiliating defeat.
Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, was widely seen as the favourite to succeed Stokes as Test captain following the latter’s shocking retirement from international cricket last month. However, The Athletic has reported that Root will instead be handed the responsibility of leading the Test side.
England’s upcoming Test matches
| AGAINST | MATCH | VENUE | DATES |
| Pakistan | 1st | Headingley, Leeds | August 19-23 |
| Pakistan | 2nd | Lord’s, London | August 27-31 |
| Pakistan | 3rd | Edgbaston, Birmingham | September 9-13 |
| South Africa | 1st | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | December 17-21 |
| South Africa | 2nd | SuperSport Park, Centurion | December 26-30 |
| South Africa | 3rd | Newlands, Cape Town | January 3-7, 2027 |
| Australia | 150th anniversary Test | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | March 11-15, 2027 |
| Bangladesh | One-off Test | Lord’s, London | May 28-June 1, 2027 |
| Australia | 1st | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | June 18-22, 2027 |
| Australia | 2nd | Lord’s, London | June 30-July 4, 2027 |
| Australia | 3rd | Edgbaston, Birmingham | July 8-12, 2027 |
| Australia | 4th | The Rose Bowl, Southampton | July 21-25, 2027 |
| Australia | 5th | The Oval, London | July 29-August 2, 2027 |
The report also states that former opening batter Marcus Trescothick could be appointed as England’s interim head coach for the Pakistan series.
Root’s record as Test captain
Root has captained England in 65 Test matches since first taking charge of the side in 2017. Under his leadership, England have won 27 matches, lost 27, and drawn 11. He holds the record for captaining England in the most Test matches and also has the most Test wins and losses by an England captain.
Most matches for England as Test captain
| PLAYER | MATCHES | WINS | DEFEATS | DRAWS |
| Joe Root | 65 | 27 | 27 | 11 |
| Alastair Cook | 59 | 24 | 22 | 13 |
| Mike Atherton | 54 | 13 | 21 | 20 |
| Michael Vaughan | 51 | 26 | 11 | 14 |
| Andrew Strauss | 50 | 24 | 11 | 15 |
| Nasser Hussain | 45 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
| Ben Stokes | 44 | 24 | 18 | 2 |
In 65 Tests as England captain, Root has scored 5,418 runs — the most by an England player while leading the side — including 14 centuries and 27 half-centuries.
