Joe Root returns as England captain for second Test against New Zealand
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 1:18 PM
Last updated Jun 16, 2026
Joe Root has been appointed as England's Test captain for the second Test against New Zealand, scheduled to start on Wednesday. He takes over following Ben Stokes' removal from the squad due to an off-field incident. Root, previously captain from 2017 to 2022, stated he is approaching this role on a game-by-game basis. He expressed a desire to support a young group of players and emphasized his enjoyment working with coach Brendon McCullum. As part of a new squad, Root will lead debutants Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker, while Jamie Smith's availability remains uncertain due to a personal matter.
- •Root led England in a record 64 Tests prior to stepping down.
- •Stokes missed selection after breaching team curfew during a night out.
- •England includes debutants Cox and Baker against New Zealand.
- •Root averaged 46.44 as captain, lower than his career average of 50.73.
- •Smith's participation depends on a family matter, potentially introducing another debutant.
- 1:18 PMYahoo Sports — I'll take England captaincy game-by-game - Root
- 1:18 PMBBC Sport — Root to captain game-by-game but is 'envious' of Stokes-McCullum dynamic
"Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a "game-by-game basis" but admits he has been "slightly envious" of Ben Stokes for getting to work alongside Brendon McCullum.
"Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a "game-by-game basis" but admits he has been "slightly envious" of Ben Stokes for getting to work alongside Brendon McCullum.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 1:18 PMI'll take England captaincy game-by-game - Root
Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a "game-by-game basis" but admits he has been "slightly envious" of Ben Stokes for getting to work alongside Brendon McCullum.
- BBC SportJun 16, 2026, 1:18 PMRoot to captain game-by-game but is 'envious' of Stokes-McCullum dynamic
Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a "game-by-game basis" but admits he has been "slightly envious" of Ben Stokes for getting to work alongside Brendon McCullum.
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