Joe Root resigned as England’s Test captain in April this year after the Ashes loss in Australia and the series loss against the West Indies.
Joe Root celebrates England’s victory. (courtesy: AP)
highlighted
- Joe Root becomes 14th player to score 10,000 Test runs
- Ben Stokes named England’s Test captain after Root stepped down
- England beat New Zealand by 5 wickets in the first test at Lord’s
Former England Test captain Joe Root said he wants to win matches for new captain Ben Stokes, who has won matches under Root.
The 31-year-old Root, who stepped down as captain in April this year, played an unbeaten knock of 115 off 170 balls as England thrashed New Zealand by five wickets in the first Test at Lord’s to win an early victory. 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“Winning this Test match after such a long time is more wonderful than anything for us. It’s been a great pleasure,” Root said in a post-match presentation.
#ENGvNZ , @root66 pic.twitter.com/L0WBr58JDs
— england cricket (@englandcricket) 5 June 2022
“Hopefully, we can use this as a way forward. With Ben (Stokes) winning us Tests as many times under my leadership, it’s a great opportunity for me to give him back. I love batting. I want to score as many runs as I can and win as many Test matches as I can. As long as I have the energy and drive to do it, I will do it.”
Root also praised Stokes, saying, “I could not have wished for a better person to lead this team.”
Root became the 14th player and second Englishman to complete 10,000 runs in the longest format of the game. He achieved this feat on the fourth day of the first Test. He recorded his 26th Test century as well as reaching 10,000 Test runs.
For England, only Alastair Cook (12472) has more runs than Root. The chart with the most Test runs is led by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (15921). The second Test between England and New Zealand will be played from June 10 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.