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.
Joe Root needs to get to grips with captaincy for sake of own batting
Joe Root needs to get to grips with captaincy for sake of own batting
Dortmund’s new CEO defends sponsorship deal with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall
- Cramer said “it’s maybe a part of life that we do not need to agree 100 percent to everything the club are doing”
- At the 2024 AGM, a majority of members present voted against further cooperation with Rheinmetall
BERLIN: German soccer club Borussia Dortmund’s new chief executive has defended their contentious sponsorship agreement with Rheinmetall, the country’s largest arms manufacturer.
Carsten Cramer, who took over from outgoing Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke last month, said Thursday he was 100 percent committed to the three-year deal announced by the club in May 2024, and that he was “convinced it was the right decision” despite many Dortmund fans making their opposition to it clear.
“I do accept the criticism,” Cramer said. “It’s maybe a part of life that we do not need to agree 100 percent to everything the club are doing. But in certain times it is necessary to take responsibility, and in these dangerous times where the safety and security of our country is not protected by diplomatic relationships and political relationships, I think it is a clear commitment of a club like Dortmund that we have to invest in defense.”
Rheinmetall last month announced record figures for the first nine months of 2025, with sales up 20 percent to 7.5 billion euros ($8.8 billion), while its backlog in orders reached 64 billion euros ($75 billion). It announced record sales of weapon systems, ammunition and protection systems driven by wars in Ukraine and elsewhere.
“We have to start and run a discussion in our country how to defend our country and Dortmund are always taking responsibility,” Cramer said. “We are always saying we are more than just a football club.”
Dortmund present Rheinmetall on their website as a “champion partner” and they display the company’s banner on advertising hoardings during games.
The agreement has caused friction among supporters to varying degrees with some Dortmund fans even going so far as to renounce their support. There were boos for Watzke at the club’s AGM last month, when he was appointed club president with 59 percent of the vote though he might have expected more. Watzke played a significant role in steering the club through a financial crisis in 2005.
At the 2024 AGM, a majority of members present voted against further cooperation with Rheinmetall.
That came after the team’s first game of the 2024-25 season was marked by fan protests against the sponsorship deal.
“Five years ago, I never expected that we would work together with a defense company. But now democracy, the system, the defense structure of our territories (is) under pressure, and I think we have to open the eyes of the people that we are not able to defend our country, our system, just by hoping that the Americans will care for us,” Cramer said.
“If a club like us are not inviting (people) to discuss something like this, who should do it?”
