James Anderson backs Joe Root for further greatness after captaincy resignation

Joe Root has been backed to cement himself as one of England’s all-time greats after he made the “most challenging” decision to step down as captain of the Test team.

The 31-year-old resigned on Friday morning following a disastrous 12 months of red-ball cricket, during which he oversaw five successive winless series and could only lead England to one solitary victory from his last 17 Tests as skipper.

Root conceded in a statement it only recently hit home how much of a toll the role had taken on him, even if it did not affect his batting as he scored 1,708-runs in Test cricket 2021.

Team-mate Anderson paid tribute to the Yorkshire batter, who will continue to represent his country and is second on England’s list of all-time leading run scorers in the longest form of the game.

“The way he’s managed to balance the responsibilities and stresses of leading the team while also becoming one of world’s greatest batters has been extraordinary.

“He is an incredible ambassador for the sport and I can’t wait to see him back out in the middle where I’m certain he’ll cement himself as one of the all-time greats.”

England’s series defeat in the West Indies, where Anderson and Stuart Broad were shock omissions, followed heavy losses away to India and Australia which essentially made Root’s position untenable.

In announcing the conclusion of his five-year tenure, the Root reflected on the timing being right.

“I have decided to step down as England men’s Test captain,” Root said.

“It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me, I know the timing is right.

“I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years