Joe Root favored to lead England in Pakistan series

Joe Root is the frontrunner to step in as Test captain for the Pakistan series in August, as the process of appointing England’s next red-ball coach becomes increasingly complex. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is managing three shortlists just over three weeks before the team gathers for the first of three matches against Pakistan at Headingley.

The ECB has to determine potential permanent coaching appointments, interim coaches if needed, and a captain for the series. The most likely option for captaincy would be Root, who recently captained during the Test against New Zealand at the Oval when Ben Stokes was suspended for breaching team curfews.

With the announcement that Brendon McCullum’s tenure as red-ball team head coach has ended, leaving him in charge of the white-ball sides, the ECB began interviewing prospective coaching candidates. While Justin Langer, currently coaching Manchester Super Giants in the Hundred, reportedly fell out of favor, contenders still include former England batter Jonathan Trott, Glamorgan head coach Richard Dawson, and Stephen Fleming, a former teammate of McCullum's from New Zealand.

Rob Key, the ECB’s Managing Director of Men’s Cricket, is overseeing the recruitment process and is expected to carry out multiple interview rounds over the upcoming weeks before making a decision. Although Key was optimistic about finalizing a coach before the squad reconvenes, the ECB is now accepting that the process may extend beyond the opening Test against Pakistan on August 19.

After the series concludes on September 13, there will be an 87-day gap until the team resumes action during a tour of South Africa, starting with a three-day game against a CSA Invitational XI in Durban. Key and the ECB are focused on making the right appointment rather than rushing the process.

Marcus Trescothick, who served as assistant coach under McCullum, is in contention for the interim coaching role, alongside other candidates. Root remains the favorite to lead the team. Following his retirement from international cricket four weeks prior, Stokes recommended Harry Brook as his successor; however, Brook’s successful leadership of the white-ball teams reduces the urgency to replace him.

Brook has a winning percentage of 64% in his 44 games in charge, making him one of the most successful captains, second only to Mike Brearley among those with similar coaching experience.

Given England's congested schedule, it is unlikely that any captain will lead across all formats as the team faces a T20 against Sri Lanka shortly after the Pakistan series and has upcoming engagements against Bangladesh.