No, England do not have any better Test captain than Joe Root at present

Sometimes, cricket can be cruel and demanding. It brings committed players and leaders, but at the same time, their constant failures make them sad and livid. Look at Joe Root, one of the major forces in world cricket but someone who has been having an excruciating time as England’s Test captain for more than a year.

However, England aren't blessed with massive riches at present beyond Root. Ben Stokes is an option but speaking after a humiliating 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year, Root’s deputy, and one of the popular names as his successor, said that he had “never really had an ambition to be a captain.” Stuart Broad is another possible choice but at 35, his age is creeping up against him and it would be nothing more than a short-term solution. The others, to be honest, are in no way near to taking up the baton.

England are facing their worst run in Test cricket since the 1980s, having won only one of their past 17 Test matches.

— SportsCafe (@IndiaSportscafe)

Although the critics have begun to question his wisdom, Root still looks towards giving more of himself as captain in the future. Following the West Indies rout, the English stalwart reiterated his desire to remain at the position, saying he is “very passionate about taking this team forward.” He further thanked the English dressing room for supporting him constantly, which proves he has emerged as a strong individual, at the same time while becoming a pillar of his side.

In a recent interview with BBC, Vaughan, who captained England 51 times between 2003 and 2008, cited Root’s ‘poor’ tactical decisions on the field and suggested that he should step down. Though the cricketer-turned-pundit termed the 31-year-old ‘England's best player,’ Vaughan urged him to relinquish the position, as he does not feel sacking would give him any justice. But considering Root’s recent comments, it is highly unlikely that it is on the cards.

Collingwood, who is also interested to be permanent, backed ‘magnificent’ Root after the West Indies series. In fact, he said, the English captain has “shown a real drive and determination to turn things around,” and should be given more opportunities. Now, the time will tell whether Root will be sacked, or give up, but it is safe to say he has got the backing of his current boss, who does not want to change the guard immediately.

Clearly, Root seems to have accepted the fact that his style of captaincy has not been great. There will be no good word around him until he leads England back to the winning ways and diverse views will keep flying at him from public platforms with regards to England’s results in Tests since February of last year. But still, with a depleted side and a standout performer in mind, he at least deserves one more chance against the World Test champions to hit out the critics. A change in captaincy will not cure all ills anyway.