The resignation opened a raw Joe Root with a balanced effect of captaincy after taking England to the brink of victory in the first Test.
The 31-year-old captain gave a candid insight into his battle with the captain after scoring an unbeaten 115 for a five-wicket win over New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday, revealing that he had developed a “very unhealthy relationship” with the role. .
England had a terrific Ashes tour of Australia and a failed tour of the West Indies, which resulted in Root moving away and Ben Stokes taking his place.
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“I didn’t know how much it gripped me,” Root said after the first Test against New Zealand.
“It started to take a bad toll on my own personal health.
“I can’t leave it on the ground anymore. It’s coming home. It wasn’t fair to my family, the people around me, or anyone close to me.”
“As soon as I made the decision, I knew it was the right thing to do. I felt like I had lifted a big weight.
“It’s a huge opportunity and something I’m proud to be able to do, but it’s time for a new phase in my career.”
When Root took a delivery from Tim Southee to mid-wicket and scored two runs in the 77th over of the fourth innings, he scored his 26th Test century and his 10,000th Test run.
Root’s captain’s predecessor, Sir Alastair Cook, is the only other Englishman to reach 10,000 Test runs, and it took them 31 years and 157 days to break the deadlock.
“I’m glad to be here to witness – the incredible push of an incredible player,” Cook said.
“He is England’s most complete batsman in all forms.”
Stokes congratulated Root’s match-winning dig.
“It was amazing to see him walk there, his unbeaten 115, lead the team to victory, and the passion to win a game for England in the first leg after stepping down as captain,” Stokes said.
The second Test of the three-match series will start at Trent Bridge on Friday.
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