Ben Stokes Says Joe Root Is Already England's Greatest Captain, Doesn't Need An Ashes Win To Reaffirm

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has claimed skipper and close friend Joe Root to be the greatest Test captain England has ever had. Root recently overtook Michael Vaughan to become the most decorated English captain in its history.

Vaughan had led the side to 26 wins in 51 Tests, while Root leapfrogged him in 55 Tests after winning the Headingley Test against India last week. The innings win at Headingley also helped England level the series 1-1. It was only the second time India lost by an innings under Virat Kohli’s reign.

Root has a chance to lead England to an Ashes win later on this year, granted the series goes ahead despite pandemic-related concerns. However, even if he doesn’t win, Root will still be termed as the greatest English captain, according to Stokes.

On Twitter, Sky Sports Cricket posted a question asking whether Joe Root needs an ashes win to be classified as one of England’s great captains. Stokes, who is currently taking an indefinite break from cricket, asserted that Root is in fact the greatest.

Already is the greatest….most wins as a English Test Captain..end of https://t.co/U6BfYjXhjx

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) August 30, 2021

“I’m living my boyhood dream of captaining England” – Joe Root after surpassing Michael Vaughan

Joe Root led the way for England once again with his third hundred in three consecutive Tests at Headingley last week. Not only did he bat well, but he also commanded his men en route to his 27th win as England’s Test captain. It was a memorable achievement, which Root claimed as ‘living his boyhood dream’.

“As I mentioned before the game, I’m living my boyhood dream of captaining England. It’s something that I dreamt of doing from being really small. I couldn’t be more proud to have gone past Vaughan. As long as I am enjoying it, as long as we feel like we are moving in the right direction and that I am the right man for it in my own mind, I am more than happy to keep doing it,” Root had said.

Vaughan and head coach Chris Silverwood believe an Ashes win is definitely necessary to cement his place as England’s greatest Test captain. However, Root is unlikely to be fazed and will continue to focus on the last two Tests against India.

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