Root 'really excited' to lead England again as captain

Speaking on the morning of the opening Test against Pakistan, Joe Root says he's "really excited" to be England captain for a second time and has called on his team to build on the foundations laid by former skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Root hopes seamers can exploit overheads and "a bit of top moisture" on first morning

Live England face Pakistan at Headingley (August 19-23) before further Tests at Lord's (August 27-31) and Edgbaston (September 9-13); Joe Root back as permanent captain following Ben Stokes' international retirement; Marcus Trescothick interim coach with Stephen Fleming taking over in winter Wednesday 19 August 2026 10

England has won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the first test under an overcast sky in Leeds

Root not planning on ‘ripping up’ work of Stokes and McCullum Talked up Dan Lawrence’s off-spin bowling on his return to Test side Joe Root says he is not planning on “ripping up” the work of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as his England side prepare to face Pakistan in the first Test in Leeds, on the Yorkshireman’s