Joe Root is to be the new captain of the England Test team. Root was captain from 2017 until 2022 and early on in his tenure it became obvious that he was ill-suited to the job. It was just like the bad old days: led by Root, England lost by 253 runs. Fleming has been appointed the new head coach, although Marcus Trescothick will take charge for the Pakistan series before Fleming assumes the role. If Root fails the Pakistan test, someone else must lead the side in South Africa this winter and against Australia next summer.