Joe Root has been named as new Test captain of England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Monday.
Yorkshire batsman Root, previously England’s vice-captain, had been the overwhelming favourite to replace Alastair Cook ever since the Essex opener resigned as Test skipper after a national record 59 matches in charge last week.
Root, who made his England debut under Cook, is now widely regarded as England’s leading batsman. “It is a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy,” the 26-year-old Root said in an ECB statement. “I feel privileged, humbled and very excited.”
