England Test leader, Joe Root steps down from his post

Onecricket

In a shocking development, England's most prominent batter and their Test captain, Joe Root has stepped down from the leadership of the longest format of the game. Just like any other former Test leader from England, Root has always been under scrutiny for the way of leading his team. 

The development has come to light after the Three Lions' horrendous performance against the West Indies in the Caribbean Islands and the Ashes-rivals Australia Down Under.


“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down,” Root told 'The Guardian'. “It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me; I know the timing is right.”


The former skipper added, “I am excited to continue representing the team and producing performances that will enable the team to succeed. I look forward to helping the next captain, my teammates and coaches in whatever way I can.”


Root has been the most successful Test skipper in the history of England cricket, with 27 wins under his belt. However, the right-handed batter was under scrutiny after losing 4-0 to Australia down under. Just a few months later, they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Indies, following which Root has decided to step down from the role.

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David Lloyd urges England to 'trust' Late Shane Warne's judgement and pick Matt Parkinson

Former cricketer and commentator David Lloyd has urged the English management to trust the judgement of the legendary Shane Warne and hand the Test cap to Matt Parkinson in the forthcoming summer. Parkinson has claimed 102 wickets at an average of 23 since making his First-Class debut for Lancashire in 2016. He picked 36 wickets in 11 county championship games last summer at an average of 20.55. The right-arm leg-spinner had earned plaudits for his craft from several former cricketers and pundits, including the late Shane Warne, who was baffled when the Joe Root-led management didn't pick him for the Ashes. Writing a column for the Daily Mail, Lloyd said he had observed Parkinson from close quarters, claiming that the young leggie had improved his control besides developing a flipper. Lloyd said: "England, meanwhile, have traditionally had a suspicion of leg-spinners but I would trust the judgment of the late, great Warne and he really rated Parkinson. The debate has always been over the relatively slow speed Parkinson bowls but Shane said that didn't matter as long as he spins it," "I've watched Parkinson closely at Lancashire. His development has entailed gaining control while retaining spin and working on the straight-on ball from out of the front of his hand. In other words, the flipper." he added. One of the team's concerns usually has been while picking a leg-spinner is that he might get carted around due to lack of control. Lloyd wrote that England should not worry about Parkinson occasionally getting clobbered as he feels that the right-arm spinner possesses the ability to run past batting units on his day. "The leg-spinner and flipper were the only weapons Warne really had for all his talk about zooters, tooters and scooters. There was no googly as such. But when the ball was in flight from Warne it would swing in towards the right-handed batsman before spinning away sharply. And that's exactly what Parkinson does," wrote Lloyd. "So let's not worry about his batting. It's up to the dopey blokes above him to get 400 or 500 on the board and give the bowlers something to work with. Yes he will get clattered occasionally. Kevin Pietersen would clatter Shane Warne. That's leg-spin. But Parkinson can bamboozle people. For goodness' sake get him in the side this summer," he added. Parkinson was called-up for the Test series in the Caribbean last month. But, to everyone's surprise, he did not get a single game to play. Hopefully, the leggie should receive his maiden Test cap against New Zealand or South Africa in the upcoming summer at home. He is currently involved in Lancashire's County season opener against Kent in Canterbury.