England cricket captain Joe Root has expressed confidence that his team is regaining its footing after a summer marked by unexpected challenges and internal turbulence. Root took over the captaincy in June following the sudden retirement of Ben Stokes, a dramatic move that came in the middle of the final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Stokes had been stood down from the previous match due to a disciplinary investigation into a nightclub visit with teammate Gus Atkinson. This was just one of several incidents that tested the team's stability, including the departure of head coach Brendon McCullum from red-ball cricket, creating a leadership vacuum that raised concerns about the team's direction. Since Root’s return, supported by interim head coach Marcus Trescothick, England has enjoyed three consecutive comfortable victories at Headingley, Lord’s, and Edgbaston. These wins have helped stabilize the team ahead of the arrival of Stephen Fleming, who is set to take over as McCullum’s long-term successor. Root believes the team is now moving forward positively, having put aside the challenges of the past. "There's been a lot of chaos around this series before a ball was bowled," Root said after scoring 62 not out in England’s eight-wicket victory on Saturday. "I think the way we've handled it on and off the field is a really good thing." Despite the progress, the team has not been without further issues. Shortly after Root’s return, another alcohol-related incident involving player Brydon Carse led to his arrest and subsequent removal from the squad. Carse has not been selected since, and Root has emphasized the need for professionalism and discipline within the team. The incident underscored the challenges of rebuilding a cohesive unit after a period of uncertainty. In the latest Test against Pakistan in Birmingham, England faced its first significant challenge of the series. Pakistan put up a stronger performance than in the first two games, with debutant Razaullah’s impressive innings forcing England to chase 130. However, early wickets from Mohammad Abbas created some tension before Root and Jordan Cox steadied the innings to secure the win. Root acknowledged the value of such pressure situations, stating, "We'll be better for it, we'll learn from it and be prepared next time around."