Joe Root joins Dubai Capitals for ILT20's first season

The former Test captain has not been a regular on the franchise circuit but finds himself with spare time on his hands in the first month of the new year, and will set off for only his second overseas T20 gig

Joe Root is to play in the UAE's new franchise T20 league after signing for Dubai Capitals.

Root will turn out for the Capitals - run by the same ownership group which has control of Indian Premier League outfit Delhi Capitals - in the International League T20 in January and February.

The former Test captain has not been a regular on the franchise circuit but finds himself with spare time on his hands in the first month of the new year, and will set off for only his second overseas T20 gig - he has previously represented Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash.

The ILT20's inaugural season is due to get under way on January 13, when the Capitals face Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. 

^{Joe Root has joined Dubai Capitals for ILT20 [Getty Images]}

^{Root has rarely secured overseas T20 contracts [Getty Images]}

It is scheduled to run for a month, with the final set for February 12.

Root is unlikely to be available for the entire campaign, with England's first Test in New Zealand slated for February 16. However, his omission from the 50-over squad for the three-match series in South Africa in late January and early February has given him a window to take part in ILT20. 

Root is also listed on the IPL mini auction list ahead of the event on December 23. 

"I have no thoughts or feelings of retirement or slowing down or playing fewer formats," the batsman said in a recent interview.

^{The England batsman has previously played for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash [Getty Images]}

^{Root has been left out of England's ODI squad for the series in South Africa [Getty Images]}

"If anything, I feel a little bit more freedom with my time. I always used to get rested for the T20s and I feel like I got alienated from the format because I had not played enough of it.

"You can feel like you are getting left behind a little bit. Now, the next couple of years, might be a good time to explore playing a little bit more of that format and see how far I can take that side of my game."

Root's career stats in short-format cricket are good. He strikes at a shade under 127 and has an average of 32. 

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