5 takeaways from Joe Root's first captaincy stint

#4 Ability to come back

England came back strongly in the third Test

Great leaders are tested during adversity and not during good times. In cricket too, the skills of captain are best tested when his team is pushed to the corner and there is little hope left.

Imran Khan's heroic inspiration enabled Pakistan to lift the 1992 World Cup and it immortalized Imran as one the best ever captains in cricket.

After winning the first Test, England were torn apart by South Africa at Trent Bridge. The visitors gained strength due to the return of their captain, Faf du Plessis and thrashed England by 340 runs.

The home team's batting flaws were exposed and their bowlers were neutralized nonchalantly.

This was the test of Root's captaincy. And he recreated the magic.

In the Oval Test, riding on Ben Stokes's counter-attacking hundred and Toby Roland-Jones's dream debut bowling spell, the home captain led the redemption.

South Africa were pulverized first by Stokes's three consecutive sixes and then by Moeen Ali's three consecutive wickets.

In the decisive Test at Manchester, Root once again ensured the momentum stayed with his team and kept South Africa on the back-foot throughout the four days.

The commanding victories at Oval and Manchester are to be credited to England's massive team strength and also to their skipper's ability to bounce back from despair.