Ben Stokes puts his arm around Joe Root after England’s defeat• Mar 26, 2022•Getty Images
The appointment of Stokes, which was widely expected, is the first of a number of changes to the Test set-up to be overseen by Key. The ECB has already advertised for separate red- and white-ball coaches, while it is expected England will revert to selection being overseen by a panel, after Ashley Giles did away with the national selector role last year.
Stokes has not played since the tour of the Caribbean, where a 1-0 defeat to West Indies helped bring down the curtain on Root’s time as captain, having led the team in more Tests than any other Englishman.
He was sent for scans on a knee injury earlier this month but has been back in training ahead of a return for Durham, possibly as soon as next week. England’s next Test commitment comes against New Zealand, with a three-match series beginning at Lord’s on June 2.
Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive officer, said: “I am delighted that Ben has agreed to become England Men’s Test captain, which is another great achievement in his extraordinary career in an England shirt.
“He cares deeply and passionately about what it means to represent England and he will lead us into a new era with great pride. It’s an important summer for our Test side and Ben will I am sure relish the challenge before him and his team.” (ESPNcricinfo)
