One is sitting on a wave of recent success after a major upheaval whereas the other is sitting on a shellacking in the Ashes. One may even get one more chance to win the Ashes whereas the other may not get that chance to defend the Ashes. Both of them want to continue in their respective roles but the powers be may not support. It is not rosy for either of them. Let me discuss Joe Root and Justin Langer positions.
First let me start with Joe Root
Root is a likeable character. He is a brilliant batsman. That is without a shadow of doubt. He has proved himself in every part of the world against the strongest bowling attack. Hundred in Australia is something that is grossly missing from his resume. He has got the tests at Sydney and Hobart to correct that anomaly. Root is still young. It will not be a surprise to see him return to Australia in 4 years’ time. In which case, he will get a further 5 tests to correct the wrong.
Before the start of the Ashes, Root famously proclaimed that Ashes will define his captaincy.
“It’s been something that doesn’t happen very often. Of course it will define my captaincy – I’m not naive enough to think that it won’t – but again, what a great opportunity.”
After Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, it is clear that Root does not have it in him to become a good and successful captain. This is his second opportunity after the 0-4 drubbing last time around and this campaign does not promise to be anything different. Experts have said that this is going to be another dreary and heart breaking campaign. 0-5 is what everyone expects. Hence, Root’s legacy as a captain stands tarnished. Remember, English captains are defined by their Ashes success. The fact that Root failed to win even one, including in England, is surely not going to show him in favourable light. I am afraid he will go down in English cricket history as among the captains who have never won an Ashes. One comforting factor for him will be that this list is pretty long. Atherton, Stewart, Gooch, Hussain, Flintoff….
Decision must not be left with ECB
England may still continue with Root as the captain just because there is no other option. Ben Stokes, the only alternative for Root says that he does not have any ambition to captain the team. With the rest except for Anderson but including Broad worried about their spot, there doesn’t seem to be any alternative.
However, the decision must not be left with the English Cricket Board. Rather, Root himself must come forward and resign. He has had his chances. He has been the captain for 5 long years during which he became the most successful English captain. However, it is always felt that Root lacks imagination. He is a great batsman but a poor captain.
Ian Chappell has only harsh words for Root
Ian Chappell, who knows a thing or two about being the captain has said so in so many words.
‘Root is an excellent batter but a poor captain. it would not be unfair to describe him as an ordinary and unlucky captain. Rarely do you find a long-term captain who is lacking in imagination but is also lucky. A fortunate captain is usually lucky because the players believe he is some kind of miracle-worker and things tend to work out because of the team’s belief.”
These were strong words indeed coming from one of the excellent captains this game has ever seen. Chappell’s words were echoed by one of English cricket’s great batsman.
Geoffrey Boycott’s criticism of Root
“It is impossible not to like him, but before the squad left the UK, Joe said players and captains are defined by Ashes series, particularly in Australia. So far this series we have been dreadful and if Joe believes what he has been saying then it is time for someone else to be given the opportunity to try and galvanise the players. Now Australia are 3-0 up and the Ashes have gone, will Root please stop saying Australia are not much better than us? I don’t mind him living in cuckoo land but stop trying to kid us. If he really believes what he says then maybe it is time he gave up the captaincy of the England cricket team.”
Boycott was at his scathing best.
Root’s batting suffered
I firmly believed that Root the batsman suffered in a large part of his career because of captaincy. There was a period when he averaged 54 in tests. It went down to 47 within a couple of years and has only recently touched 50. It was clear that captaincy was affecting his batting. The ECB must have realised that at the point and handed over the job to Broad so that England could have regained their best batsman sometime ago.
If reports are to be believed, Root wants to continue in the job. Perhaps the hole of not winning an Ashes series is weighing on his mind. He wants to try his luck one last time in England in 15 months.
I personally feel that Broad must be given the job for the next couple of years until someone comes along or it probably is time to reinstate Eoin Morgan.
Onto Justin Langer
Until a few months ago, it was not clear whether Langer will continue in his role as Australian head coach. There were lot of complaints from the players themselves. They hated his style of functioning. They were actually afraid of Langer. Things seems to have settled now nicely. Ashes win and that too with ease is an important factor in that. Langer’s contract will expire at the end of the Ashes but he says he wants to continue. It is not so easy as it seems. It depends on how the players feel now about working with him. Autralia have had excellent past few months with World T20 win and now Ashes. Under normal circumstances, this will be enough for any coach’s role to be extended.
The current captain, Cummins, is non-committal
“I think we’ll savour this victory today and continue for the Ashes, and I don’t think today is the day to speculate on that,” Cummins said when asked about Langer’s position.
“I think we’ll sit down all together after this series, or whenever his tenure is up and his contract is up for renewal, in a few months we’ll visit that then.”
Conclusion to Joe Root and Justin Langer positions
Joe Root’s time is up. He must go out of his own gracefully and as for Langer, it depends on what the players think about his style.