LONDON, (MILLAT/APP/AFP): Will the responsibility
of being England’s Test captain over-burden Joe Root or inspire the Yorkshire batsman to even greater heights?
That was the question England fans were asking themselves after Root was
appointed to succeed Alastair Cook as Test skipper on Monday.
A particular concern regarding Root is that he is seen as something of a
free spirit — he gave a television interview in a comedy ‘old man’ mask while doing an impression of former England fast bowler Bob Willis following
England’s 2015 Ashes series win — and that these qualities might be crushed by the duties imposed upon a Test skipper.
Making a star player, a status Root has long had in the side, England
captain did not result in happy spells in charge for the likes of Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff or Kevin Pietersen.
Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann said even making Root vice-captain
to Cook meant the 26-year-old was no longer “the cheeky, dynamic joie de
vivre-type player he was two or three years ago.”
But former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who observed Root’s
development during five years as Yorkshire coach, insisted those fears were
groundless.
“I understand the point he’s trying to make,” Gillespie, who returned to
Australia last year for family reasons, told the Guardian.
“And no one wants Joe to lose his swagger or that inherent cheekiness but
this is a guy who is maturing all the time. He’s played 53 Tests, he’s 26 years old and he is ready to go,” added Gillespie.