“We’ll try to continue a lot of the good stuff we did over that period and not finding ourselves back to where we were before Baz [Brendon McCullum] and Ben [Stokes] took over, and evolving and tweaking things to where we want to be and really competing against the top nations consistently.”<\/p>\n
Root’s appointment raised some eyebrows given the nature of his previous departure from the captaincy, as well as fans sighting worries over the role affecting his batting.<\/p>\n
His average as skipper during his last stint was almost seven runs below an average of 53.34 without the ‘armband’.<\/p>\n
However, Root believes a lot has changed since he stepped down – including himself.<\/p>\n
![\"Root](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/skysports-cricket-joe-root_7304972.jpg\")
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Image:
\n Root is back as England Test captain following the retirement of Ben Stokes<\/p>\n
“[I’m] hugely different, anyone that says in an eight-year period they were the same person they were [at the start] is probably lying,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Whether it be within the game, away from it, all the experience you have along the way throughout that period you will be shaped into a slightly different person. I think that will be very similar in how I want to take this team forward.”<\/p>\n
Fleming, former captain of the New Zealand national team, recently left his role as head coach of Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings to join England’s Test team.<\/p>\n
Asked about working with Fleming, Root said: “We’ve spoken briefly and if I’m being brutally honest he was a big reason why I wanted to do it.<\/p>\n
“I’m very excited by the way he sees the game, where he sees us sit as a team and the work we have to do to get to where we want to get to.<\/p>\n
![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/skysports-stephen-fleming-cricket_7309902.jpg\")
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Image:
\n Stephen Fleming will be working with Root to reignite English Test cricket<\/p>\n
“All of that got me very excited about taking this role on. Very much looking forward to working with him and he’s obviously got a wealth of experience, done some amazing things in the game as a player and as a coach.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking forward to the next little while and us trying to build something pretty special together.”<\/p>\n
Root takes charge for the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan this month.<\/p>\n
England vs Pakistan Test series schedule<\/p>\n
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports<\/p>\n
First Test (Headingley) – Wednesday August 19-Sunday August 23 (11am)Second Test (Lord’s) – Thursday August 27-Monday August 31 (11am)Third Test (Edgbaston) – Wednesday September 9-Sunday September 13 (11am)<\/p>\n