Ben Stokes to lead England in absence of Joe Root

Ben Stokes will lead the England side against Windies in the first Test in the absence of permanent skipper Joe Root. Jos Buttler has been named the vice-captain. Root will miss the game to be with his wife; the couple if expecting the birth of their second child. This is the first time Stokes, who does not have experience of captaining a first-class side, will lead the national team. England face Windies in the first of three Tests starting July 8 in Ageas Bowl.

“Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has been Root’s Test vice-captain since his appointment last July, will captain the side for the first time in Southampton,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a release.

“Root will commence a seven-day self-isolation period at home once he leaves hospital with his family. He will join up with the England squad ahead of the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday 13 July,” the ECB added.

England coach Chris Silverwood said about the development, “I think he will do a great job. He is a talisman, isn’t he? He leads from the front anyway. He is conscious of the people around him as well so I think he will do a great job in Joe Root’s absence.” 

“We know he has got an aggressive nature but equally there is a good cricket brain in there as well. I think he will be quite vocal about what moves he is making out there. “I’m looking forward to working with him from a coaching point of view. I will extend him the same courtesies I do Rooty. He will have a lot of say in what is going on and he will play a big part in giving his opinions across selection as well,” Silverwood was quoted by the Guardian.

England vs Windies series will mark the resumption of international cricket which had come to a screeching halt as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world.