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LONDON: It was only July when Joe Root started his tenure as England captain with a superb 190 at Lord’s as the home team swept South Africa aside. Root was at his usual, mercurial best and his fine form from his 2012 debut rolled on. It was the start of a glorious summer for the new, fresh-faced skipper as England notched a first home series win over the Proteas in almost twenty years.
Fast-forward to today, away from the green and overcast swing-bowling havens on home soil and Root is finding out about the harsh realities of captaining abroad. Not only has his lack of creativity, leadership or ability to adapt tactically been painfully obvious on the pitch, but his seemingly lenient approach to discipline off it has also cost England the urn.
Before the Ashes-losing debacle in Perth, the 26-year-old openly admitted that he underestimated how big a challenge captaining a touring side would be and the pressure of responsibility has undoubtedly affected his performance with the bat. But the same cannot be levelled at his Australian counterpart Steve Smith who has gone from strength to strength since being made captain in 2015. This Ashes was billed as a battle of the best batsmen in the world right now, yet only one has turned up.
It isn’t the first time seemingly infallible cricketers have buckled and wilted under the pressure of captaincy and it will not be the last. However, the difference this time is in Root, England have one of the finest, naturally talented batsmen of his generation. He has the potential to be his country’s greatest ever. It is perhaps a sad reflection of the lack of depth in English cricket that if Root stepped down, there is no viable option currently capable of taking up the mantle. 
Therefore, looking beyond the Ashes, Root must adapt quickly to the role he has been given, be ruthless and find ways to win games outside of England. Otherwise, the burden of captaincy for the next three to five years looks set to rob him of his potential for greatness during arguably his peak years.