Back in 2014, Martin Crowe singled out four young batsmen, who he believed would “take turns as the number one Test batsman” in the future. This “Fab Four” consisted of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and, of course, Joe Root. Fast forward two years later and this quartet are now at the forefront of Test batting: in the ICC ranks, three of the top four positions are filled by them, while Virat Kohli, currently at position 14, will likely surge up the list, given his double hundred today against the West Indies.
But, in addition to his prediction of their batting supremacy, Crowe also foretold that “all four will go on to captain their countries.” Again this has largely come true: Williamson and Smith were installed as Test captains, helped along by their predecessors’ dodgy backs; Kohli stepped in once the strain of playing year-round cricket finally got to MS Dhoni. Joe Root, despite probably entertaining the most talk of his potential leadership abilities out of these four, is the only one without the “c” symbol next to his name. So, the question is: when will he be England captain? Prompted by his performance today, I predict he will be one by the end of the year.
Genuine Half-Volley 