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Joe Root admits captaincy decision is out of his hands after England's loss against West Indies

Joe Root's role as captain has been cast into doubt

England suffered another series defeat this week, after the West Indies claimed a dominant 10-wicket victory in the decisive Test.

After the dismal 4-0 thumping in the Ashes over the winter, Joe Root publicly backed himself as the ideal man to lead the England recovery.
However, another series loss this week marks the fourth consecutive defeat for England, while Root as captain has only won one of his last 17 Test matches.
The tour of West Indies started fairly brightly for England, with consecutive draws in the opening two Tests probably a harsh result after some impressive performances.
However, when it came down to the deciding Test, England withered and failed to stamp their authority on the match, with a dismal second innings total of 120 in Grenada.
The side managed to unravel all their hard work in a miserable display, and questions are again being asked of Root's leadership in the squad.
However, the 31-year-old came out fighting following the match, and insisted once again that he's the right man to take the side forward.
"I am very passionate about taking this team forward. I made that quite clear ahead of this game and that is not going to waver," he said.
"I think I've spoken quite enough on the subject if I'm being honest. As always, you use the people around you that you trust and that's been the case since I took the role on."
Frankly, Root's future would usually be decided by England's coach and director of cricket.
But, with both Ashley Giles and Chris Silverwood departing their roles after the Ashes defeat, Paul Collingwood and Sir Andrew Strauss only find themselves in interim roles.
Root admitted that the off-field appointments could have a major impact on his role, but also stated that he is only focused on what he can improve on the field.
"I can't control any of that. All I can control is, when having the opportunity to lead this team, throwing everything at it. I'll do anything I can to help England win. That's not going to change.
"I don't think it's ever in your hands, but I feel like the group are very much behind me. We're doing a lot of really good things and we just need to turn that into results now.
"I know this is a results-based business but it does not feel like we are far away from turning results."
Former England player Steve Harmison said after the West Indies loss that Joe Root should resign as England captain "for his own good".
"There's going to be a lot talked about Joe Root's captaincy.
"My opinion is he needs to do it himself now for his own good.
"I just think for his own mental sanity it's time to get out of there, unfortunately."
Joe Root was named the ICC Test Player of the Year
Former England captain Mike Atherton echoed Harmison's opinion, believing that Root should've handed over captaincy after the Ashes defeat.
"I felt he should have gone at the end of the Ashes," he said. "I can't see there's any justification for carrying on. He was given full backing by Andrew Strauss and I don't think he will give it away."
For now, Root remains captain of England. But with changes bound to be made behind the scenes, it remains to be seen whether he'll keep that role for the next Test against New Zealand in June.

For the West Indies vs England report, read here: West Indies ease to a 10-wicket victory over England in third Test to seal historic series triumph

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