Joe Root explains return as England Test captain, cites COVID-era strain and coaching change
Cricket
Joe Root has returned as England's Test captain, the captaincy comeback reported in an article published on August 20, 2026.
He said his previous stint was overshadowed by the stress of extended COVID-19 restrictions and that, after four years away, his perspective has shifted and he now values the experience he gained during the hiatus.
Root said he felt sadness over Brendan McCullum's exit as Test coach and looks forward to collaborating with the new coach, Stephen Fleming.
