Unimpressed by the Root cause

Those who occupy them sometimes say that the only two jobs that matter in England are Chief of the Defence Staff and editor of the Times. Others argue for Prime Minister or England’s cricket captain. Either way, a shoo-in is not the way to get the right person. Remember Gordon Brown? Despite the best efforts of some of us to get Alan Johnson or even David Miliband to have a pop, in the end Brown took over as uncontested Labour leader and unelected Prime Minister. That went well, didn’t it?

Now a similar din is building up for Joe Root to take over from Alastair Cook. I am not quite sure why: he’s a lovely guy for sure, super batsman, brilliant fielder, great cricketing brain and ever-present smile. And a Yorkshireman, which means that Michael Vaughan and Geoff Boycott have been pushing his case. Vaughan has been plugging Root since 2013. They share a management company and both come from God’s own county. Vaughan was an exceptional skipper; Root may be less so. After one disastrous county outing it is said he was known as ‘Craptain’, though that might just be bluff Yorkshire humour.

For some, Root is the only obvious successor, but what about Jonny Bairstow? Is there anyone grittier or more competitive? He’s athletic, tough as a tugboat, and a fine and aggressive batsman. A Yorkshireman too. Jos Buttler could put himself in the frame if he can keep his Test place this summer. He seems a strong character who is liked by coach Trevor Bayliss and the other players. No one can doubt Root’s great qualities: just don’t let him be steam-rollered into the job.

Good to see Sir Clive Woodward weighing in strongly for darts to be part of the Olympics.