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London: Star all-rounder Ben Stokes has won the race to replace Joe Root and will become England's next Test captain.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Stokes as new Test skipper on Thursday, with the 30-year-old taking over the top job from the outgoing Root.
“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I’m excited about getting started this summer,” Stokes said.
“I want to thank Joe (Root) for everything he has done for English Cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role.”
The appointment is the first move by recently-appointed Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, who was named in the post earlier this month.
Root stepped down as Test captain shortly after England's 1-0 Test series loss to West Indies in the Caribbean and leaves Stokes with plenty of work to do to lift their country off the bottom of the World Test Championship points table.
England have struggled for continuity since the start of the 2021-2023 World Test Championship, with their series loss in the West Indies preceded by a disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia.
One of Stokes' first tasks will be to attempt to put together England’s best Test XI, and whether that includes veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad remains to be seen.
