Joe Root admits he is grateful to have retained England captaincy after post-Ashes clearout

Joe Root has said that he is grateful that he is still England Test captain after a series of leading figures in English cricket lost their jobs after the 4-0 Ashes defeat.

While Root kept his job for the tour of the West Indies, director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles was sacked. New director of cricket Andrew Strauss has since also sacked head coach Chris Silverwood and batting coach Graham Thorpe.

“It’s never nice when you see people that you’ve worked closely with for a long period of time lose their jobs,” Root said. “Clearly it was a disappointing tour and we massively underperformed. I think off the back of it we have to use this opportunity for a fresh start. As Straussy’s mentioned, a bit of a reset, and a real chance to take things forward. I’m very grateful that I’ve got the opportunity to do that as captain.

“I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead, and I’m very much looking forward to that challenge. And that starts on this tour first. It’s a real opportunity that we’ve got to take with both hands, make the most of it. It’s obviously a very new looking squad and it’s a real chance for the guys to step up and really take the chances that are presented to them - me included.”

But Root said that he never doubted that he was the right man to lead England forward during next month’s tour of the West Indies and beyond.

“I didn't waver. I'm very passionate about trying to take this team forward. I'm grateful I've got that opportunity, I really am. But it's now very exciting, with that squad being announced, for us to be on the eve of that tour, to get out there and to really try and put all of the thoughts and all of the ideas and good feelings about it into action and really put the wheels in motion and enjoy