Root reveals how his England captaincy became 'unhealthy'

Joe Root said his time as England captain had ended in an "unhealthy relationship" after marking his return to the ranks with a match-winning hundred against New Zealand at Lord's.

Root led England in a record 64 Tests spanning five years before resigning as skipper in April following a run of just one win in 17 Tests.

The stresses and strains of leading England during the coronavirus pandemic, allied to a run of poor results including a 4-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia and a 1-0 series loss in the Caribbean, persuaded Root he should step down, with vice-captain Ben Stokes, a close friend, taking over the reins.

Root, however, remains one of the world's leading batsmen and his serene 115 not out on Sunday meant the Stokes era began with a five-wicket win over New Zealand as England went 1-0 up in a three-match series against the World Test champions.

"It had become a very unhealthy relationship to be honest, the captaincy and me," player of the match Root told reporters following his fifth Test-match century at the 'Home of Cricket'.

"It started to really take a bad toll on my own personal health. I couldn't leave it at the ground anymore, it was coming home."

The 31-year-old Yorkshireman added: "It wasn't fair on my family, on people close to me and it wasn't fair on myself either.

"I had thrown everything at it and I was determined to help turn this team around but I realised over that time at home that it would have to be in a different way."

Root said he was looking forward to playing an influential role in turning the team into a force once again on the Test stage.

"I'm very excited to do that now and to do everything I can to help Ben really turn this team around and make this team the force it should and can be.

"It got to