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[source](https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/silverwood-aware-england-coaches-need-to-lighten-load-on-captain-root/)When Root goes Stokes must avoid the captaincy at all costs. I read that he is a possibility ,but just don't see it.


I have been reading a few reports complaining about Joe Roots captaincy of the English cricket team. The truth is that the Captaincy and mind set is what has often kept sides from improving. I see the same thing with not just England but other teams as well.

England's latest dismal performance was probably expected as the team hasn't exactly sparkled in the last few seasons. I think they are on a huge learning curve as a team with a new coach ,new players mixed with some players close to hanging up their boots.
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[source](https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/silverwood-aware-england-coaches-need-to-lighten-load-on-captain-root/)
Bowling short pitched balls on a track that is cracking up makes no sense.

Make no mistake England has the players to do far better , but they just keep failing to bring it all together. The saying is when you look at a score you have to add one or possibly two wickets to that total as it often happens. The truth is with England you can add a few more as they collapse on a regular basis.

England have spoken about bringing in a new mindset under the new coach Chris Silverwood and there should be alarm bells ringing already. Chris was a bowler who played for England and has been a bowling coach  before becoming the coach of a team. 

Journalists and ex players are having a field day with Roots tactics of bowling short at the South African batsmen which enabled South Africa to pull away and dominate the game. England's bowlers are not quick enough to use these tactics firstly and secondly it posed no threat to the SA batsmen who are used to that type of bowling.

Root didn't lose the plot as I believe these were instructions sent to him by Silverwood. Anyone with a brain could see these tactics weren't working and should have changed back to the patience game of line and length. South Africa is more of a make shift side right now trying to find the team balance and are vulnerable. I believe the wrong coaching set up has been put in place and looking from the outside in would have gone with Alec Stewart or Gary Kirsten instead.

England are somewhat established with decent players yet can't deliver when the time comes. Yes the team has had illness issues over the last few weeks and everyone should be fit for the New Years test match in Cape Town in a few days time. If Root fails again with the England team here I can see the press getting louder calling for his head. Root needs to think for himself and go with his gut as it is his head on the block right now. Silverwood will have at least two more series in him before he has to face up to the teams results.