I would tell Joe Root to step down as England skipper, says former captain Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan says he would tell Joe Root to step down if he asked for his advice.

Root, who has been Test captain since 2017, is under pressure with England winless in nine games and having only won one of their past 17.

They have lost their last four series, including a 4-0 Ashes defeat and a 1-0 loss in West Indies, which ended with a 10-wicket defeat on Sunday.

«He's taken it as far as he possibly can,» Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Vaughan, who has known Root since he played for Sheffield Collegiate growing up, added: «If he rings me in the next week and asks for some advice I'll be dead honest — I'd tell him to step down.

»Will England be any worse off not having him as a captain? I don't think they would, because they are going to get his runs and a senior player.

«They'll get a great role model — I don't think there is a better role model in English cricket.»

Root has led England in a record 64 Tests, winning 27 games — more than any other captain — but losing on 26 occasions, which is also more than any other skipper.

His position came under pressure after the Ashes defeat but said he wanted to continue, and he reiterated that on Sunday, saying he is «very passionate about taking the team forward» and he had «the support of the changing room».

England are without a director of cricket and head coach after Ashley Giles and Chris Silverwood left the respective roles following the Ashes, with Sir Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood taking up interim roles for the West Indies series.

Both permanent appointments — and a decision about the captaincy — are expected before England's next Test against New Zealand on 2 June.

Vaughan, who captained England 51 times between 2003 and 2008, added: «I