It has been reported that Joe Root is set to be appointed England’s Test captain for the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan.
Speaking on Wisden’s Cricket Weekly Podcast, Butcher dismissed the idea of Joe Root returning as England's Test captain, pointing to his underwhelming record as leader, particularly in the Ashes, which England have not won since 2015.
Root led England in 65 Tests from 2017, winning 27 and losing 27, with 11 draws. England had won only one of their previous 17 Tests when he decided to step down from the full-time captaincy role in 2022. Root stepped up to lead the team recently during the second New Zealand Test when Ben Stokes missed out due to an off-field incident. England lost by 253 runs and eventually lost the series 1-2.
“Well, I kind of thought it [Root leading England in Tests] was a possibility. It doesn't mean I like it anymore,” Butcher said. "I just think it's a terrible idea. And let me read you something. And also let me point out why I think it's a terrible idea. Ashes record: Joe Root as captain played 15, won two, lost eight, drawn five.”
“His overall record as captain: played 65, won 27, lost 27, drew 11. I don't understand why you would put everybody through, including the players and the fans, what's happened in the last four years if you were going to go back to that, right? Joe is magnificent. He is one of our greatest ever cricket players. Don't think he should be anywhere near the captaincy ever again,” Butcher added.
According to reports, if England aren’t able to zero in on the new head coach before the series against Pakistan that gets underway on August 19, Root and Marcus Trescothick will take over captain and head coach roles in an interim capacity, respectively.
In one of the earlier episodes of the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast, Butcher had stated that Harry Brook is the best and only option to take over England’s Test captaincy.
“I think he [Brook] is both the best option and the only option [to be England’s Test captain],” Butcher had said. “I think somebody who is in the right time of his life and career, age-wise, and can literally give it absolutely every minute of his time because that's what it requires and that's why it's so damn difficult. You have to be everything to everybody in that job and score your runs too.”
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
