Joe Root has ruled himself out of the running to be England’s next white-ball captain, insisting “that ship has sailed”.
The Yorkshireman led England’s Test side from 2017 to 2022 and has been linked with the vacant one-day international post after Jos Buttler’s resignation as limited-overs skipper, following a Champions Trophy group-stage exit.
But the 34-year-old – a regular in England’s ODI side when available, who has not featured in a T20 international in nearly six years – poured cold water on the suggestion in an interview with Sky Sports.
Asked about stepping back into England captaincy, Root, a key figure in England’s 2019 50-over World Cup triumph, said: “I don’t think so.
“I think that ship has sailed. I think I’ve done my time as a captain in England but I’m sure whoever gets the opportunity to do it will be extremely proud and do a brilliant job.”
Buttler, who led England to 2022 T20 World Cup glory, stood down last month after his side lost all three matches at the Champions Trophy to finish bottom of their group, a third-successive underwhelming showing at a global white-ball tournament.
His vice-captain Harry Brook was thought to be the front-runner to make the step up but England’s managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key is giving himself time to consider his options.
Even Test captain Ben Stokes is being considered, while head coach Brendon McCullum is open to appointing separate ODI and T20 skippers or bringing in someone not currently in either squad.
Root, England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, added: “The Champions Trophy was disappointing. We didn’t play anywhere near what we’re capable of but there’s so much talent and so much more to come from that team.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity to reset and to move forward again as a group and get back to the heights that we know we’re capable of and where we were in and around that 2015 to 2019 phase.”
