Root was named as the successor to Sir Alastair Cook in 2017 and led the team to a series of famous wins in a row. He said: “After returning from a tour of the Caribbean and having time to think, I decided to resign as England’s test leader. “It was the most difficult decision I had to make in my career, but after discussing it with my family and the people closest to me, I know it is the right time.” Ruth, 31, holds the record for most fights and victories as England’s test leader, with his 27 wins putting him ahead of cricketers Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook and Sir Andrew Strauss. Image: Joe Root of England in action against Australia in the third Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia in December 2021 “I am very proud to have been the leader of my country and I will look back on the last five years with great pride. “It was my honor to do the job and to be the custodian of what is the pinnacle of English cricket.” In 2015 he helped bring the Ashes home, as England triumphed over Australia, and was crowned player of the series in the process. Root performed brilliantly in the five-game set, doing 460 runs and scoring centuries in the first and fourth tests. “The best model of the game for many, many years” Former captain Michael Vaughn praised him as “the best model of the game for many, many years” after the news was released on Friday morning. He said on Twitter: “He gave it his all with very little support for the Red ball team under his watch .. then he had to face the Covid era .. it still is and will be the best model for many many years .. Now you enjoy being the top player for many more seasons “. Root was an immediate success as governor, both personally and in terms of results, after succeeding Sir Alastair Cook after a blow in India. Image: 2015 helped bring the Ashes home, as England triumphed over Australia, and was crowned player of the series in the process. Photo: AP Scoring 190 in his captain’s debut – the first Test against South Africa at Lord’s in the summer of 2017 – it was the highest of six centuries of England leaders in their first game at work. But his resignation as captain came after a less than dazzling performance by the team in the Ashes 2021-2022 series, in which England lost 4-0. The conviction led Australian cricket coach Ricky Pointing to classify England as the worst-performing tourists he had ever seen in Australia. Image: Ben Stokes (right) will be a common name when discussing replacement leaders. Photo: AP Will Ben Stokes succeed Joe Ruth as England leader? Former England captain Michael Atherton told Sky Sports News: “I’m not surprised. He had reached a stage at the end of the Ashes, even before the tour in the West Indies, where it was clear he needed a change. Asked who could succeed Root, Atherton added: “There are not many. Because of control, you have to deserve your place on the side. Ben Stokes is the obvious and what helps is that Joe Root has stepped on his own. . “Ben Stokes is very loyal to Joe and it will be much easier for him to take the job if offered, given that Ruth has resigned on his own.” Stokes paid tribute to Root on Instagram: “You had a wonderful walk with you my friend,” he said. “Seeing one of my great teammates lead us all on the pitch was a privilege. You have given everything to English cricket and we all want to thank you for your sacrifices and hard work.”