Joe Root wants to help England's next generation realise their full potential after being reappointed to the role of Test captain.

On Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed Stephen Fleming as the new head coach of the red-ball side, with Root returning as captain.

Root previously led the team from 2017 to 2022, stepping down after a chastening 4-0 series defeat to Australia in the Ashes.

Ben Stokes' appointment as skipper initially brought an upturn as England won plaudits for their fearless, big-hitting approach, which was dubbed 'Bazball' after their coach Brendon McCullum.

But results tailed off and after failing to regain The Ashes on home soil in 2023, England suffered another 4-0 away defeat in the 2025-26 series. 

McCullum was relieved of his red-ball duties earlier this month, while Stokes retired from international cricket in the aftermath of a series defeat to New Zealand.

Root's 65 Tests as captain – the most recent of which came in the second match of the New Zealand series as he stood in for Stokes while he was injured – are the most by any player in England's history.

And he is now hoping to make more special memories in the coming years, saying: "It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be England men's Test captain again. 

"The Test captaincy is a difficult but hugely rewarding job and, after enjoying a brief taste of it again working with Brendon McCullum last month, I am excited to lead this next generation of players forward.  

"The opportunity to do that alongside Stephen is also a huge motivator. 

"He has proved over a long period of time that he is an exceptional leader with a great knowledge of the game, and I am looking forward to working with him and helping to build a winning environment."  

Welcome back, Captain Rooty! pic.twitter.com/4ON5pFmKnu

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2026

Last month, Root became only the second player to ever score 14,000 Test runs, with only Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) bettering his 14,114 runs in cricket's longest format.

The ECB's managing director of cricket, Rob Key, noted that the final few years of Root's previous captaincy were overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic, outlining his excitement at seeing the 35-year-old work with Fleming. 

"I believe he is the best person to guide a team stacked full of potential and turn that talent into a world-class outfit that can not only achieve success, but sustain it," Key said. 

"I am excited by the prospect of him working with Joe Root, who will get the opportunity to lead free from the Covid restrictions that the Test team faced at the end of his first stint as captain. 

"Joe is undoubtedly an England great, and he is passionate about leading this team into a new era."  

Root's first series back as captain will be against Pakistan in August and September, before Fleming comes in as head coach for a tour of South Africa, beginning in December.