England Test captain Joe Root named ICC men’s Test player of the year

England captain Joe Root has been named men’s Test cricketer of the year by the International Cricket Council.
Joe Root of England bats during day two of the Fifth Test in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Blundstone Arena on January 15, 2022 in Hobart, Australia (photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images).Joe Root of England bats during day two of the Fifth Test in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Blundstone Arena on January 15, 2022 in Hobart, Australia (photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images).
Joe Root of England bats during day two of the Fifth Test in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Blundstone Arena on January 15, 2022 in Hobart, Australia (photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images).

Despite a testing year for the national side, Sheffield’s Root scored 1,708 runs in 2021, the third-highest total on record in a calendar year.

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Only Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf (1,788 in 2006) and West Indies great Viv Richards (1,710 in 1976) have scored more.

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Root registered two double centuries and a further four hundreds, including three in successive Tests against India during the summer, and averaged 61.

He also chipped in 14 wickets at an average of 30.50 with his part-time off-spin.

“I am incredibly proud to receive this award,” said the 31-year-old, only the second Englishman to win the award after Sir Alastair Cook in 2011.

“I am very humbled to be in the same breath as a number of wonderful players around the world and it means a huge amount to have got this award.

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“If there was one hundred that really sticks out it would probably be in Chennai (he scored 218 in February) against India. With it being my 100th game it is something that will live long in the memory.”

Root’s captaincy has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks as England were beaten 4–0 by Australia in the 2021/22 Ashes series.

The England Test side return to action on 8 March in the first of a three-match series against the West Indies, with Root expected to lead them on the tour.

A five-match T20 series between England and the West Indies is currently underway, with the scores tied at 1-1 heading into the third clash on Wednesday.