Root named England captain

England have appointed Joe Root as their new Test captain.
Joe RootJoe Root
Joe Root

Yorkshire batsman Root succeeds Alastair Cook, who resigned last week after a record 59-match tenure.

The England and Wales Cricket Board canvassed the opinion of several senior players before confirming the 26-year-old had been handed the job on Monday morning.

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Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes will be Root’s vice-captain, the ECB announced.

Root, who has been Cook’s vice-captain since May last year, will have five months to prepare for his first Test in charge - against South Africa at Lord’s starting on July 6.

England’s record Test run scorer Cook is expected to remain at the top of the order for the foreseeable future.

Root, who averages almost 53 in his 53 Tests to date, will therefore have no shortage of advisers to turn to on and off the pitch – including experienced pace pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and coaches Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace.