England‘s decision to hand Joe Root the captaincy for the second Test against New Zealand has sparked fresh debate among cricket fans. Root returns to the leadership role after regular skipper Ben Stokes was left out of the squad amid an ongoing ECB investigation. While Stokes has been widely praised for revolutionising England’s approach to Test cricket since taking charge in 2022, Root remains the country’s most experienced and successful captain in terms of matches led and victories secured. With both players leaving a significant mark on England’s red-ball history, the question naturally arises: who has been the better Test captain?
Joe Root’s era of responsibility and resilience
Root took over England’s Test captaincy in February 2017 and remained in charge until April 2022. He inherited a team in transition and shouldered the responsibility for more than five years across home and away conditions.
Root’s Test captaincy record
- Matches: 64
- Wins: 27
- Losses: 26
- Draws: 11
- Win percentage: 42.18%
No England captain has led the side in more Test matches than Root. During his tenure, England recorded memorable series wins against South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. He also guided the team to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship cycle.
However, Root’s reign coincided with several difficult overseas assignments, including challenging Ashes tours in Australia and a period where England struggled for consistency. Despite those setbacks, he remains England’s most successful Test captain in terms of total victories.
Ben Stokes and the Bazball revolution
When Stokes succeeded Root in 2022, England were enduring one of the toughest phases in their Test history. Alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, the all-rounder introduced an aggressive and fearless style of cricket that transformed the team’s fortunes almost immediately.
Stokes’ Test captaincy record
- Matches: 43
- Wins: 24
- Losses: 17
- Draws: 2
- Win percentage: 55.81%
The victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s further enhanced Stokes’ impressive record as captain. Under his leadership, England have embraced attacking cricket, backed bold declarations and consistently chased ambitious fourth-innings targets.
The team’s aggressive approach has not only produced results but has also made England one of the most entertaining sides in world cricket. Stokes has already collected 24 wins in just 43 Tests, putting him within touching distance of Root’s tally despite captaining 21 fewer matches.
| Category | Joe Root | Ben Stokes |
|---|---|---|
| Matches as captain | 64 | 43 |
| Wins | 27 | 24 |
| Losses | 26 | 17 |
| Draws | 11 | 2 |
| Win percentage | 42.18% | 55.81% |
The numbers reveal an interesting contrast. Root dominates in terms of longevity and total wins, having captained England in significantly more matches. Stokes, meanwhile, boasts a much stronger win percentage and has delivered victories at a faster rate.
Another notable difference is England’s style of play. Root often captained in a traditional manner, focusing on patience and long-term control. Stokes has preferred a high-risk, high-reward approach that has frequently put opposition teams under pressure.
Who has been England’s better Test captain?
There is no straightforward answer because both captains have succeeded in different ways. Root’s legacy is built on endurance, commitment and the ability to lead England through a demanding period. His 64 Tests as captain and 27 victories remain benchmarks in English cricket.
Stokes, however, has transformed the team’s mindset and delivered a superior winning percentage. His impact has extended beyond statistics, reshaping how England approach the longest format of the game.
If the debate is based on overall contribution and longevity, Root has a compelling case. But if success is measured by results and influence on team performance, Stokes currently holds the advantage.
With 24 wins already under his belt and a few years of captaincy potentially ahead of him, Stokes now has a realistic opportunity to surpass Root’s records and establish himself as England’s greatest modern-day Test captain.
