Talisman Stokes named new England captain

Ben Stokes has been appointed the new captain of the England Men’s Test team, the 81st man to hold the title. 

He replaces Joe Root who stepped down earlier in the month following tough tours to Australia and the West Indies.

Stokes has previously led England in a solitary Test match, against the West Indies in 2020 when Root was unavailable due to the birth of his second child. 

He has also captained his country in three ODIs against Pakistan last year. 

Stokes' first job as the full-time captain will be a three-Test series against New Zealand starting on June 2.  

England's new director of men's cricket Rob Key, who replaced Ashley Giles this week, has moved swiftly to choose the side's new leader. 

“I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben," Key said in a statement. 

“He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity.”

“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 in a statement. 

“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.”

Stokes is reported to have pushed for a recall for James Anderson and Stuart Broad in his first meeting with Key where he was offered the top job.

The New Zealand-born allrounder made his Test debut in Australia during the 2013-14 Ashes series, impressing with a century and a six-wicket haul in what was an otherwise forgettable campaign for the English side.

His finest Test moment also came in an Ashes contest, when the allrounder's unbeaten century led England to one of the most dramatic victories in Test history at Leeds in 2019. 

Stokes has played 79 Test matches and has 5,061 Test runs and 174 wickets to his name but is currently recovering from a knee injury that he picked up in the recent West Indies tour.