Ben Stokes to lead England against West Indies in absence of Joe Root

England all-rounder Ben Stokes to lead as the side’s Test series opener against West Indies on July 8.

According to reports, he will lead the side in absence of Joe Root, who will be leaving England’s training camp to attend the birth of his second child.

The batsman will have to spend time in isolation ahead of re-joining the team on July 13.

“He’s conscious of the people around him, so I think he’ll do a great job in Rooty’s absence,” England coach Chris Silverwood said.

“It will be interesting to see what he does, because obviously it is his first time captaining England. We know he has got an aggressive nature, but equally there is a good cricket brain in there as well.”

Root will not be part of a three-day intra-squad fixture in which Stokes and Jos Buttler will lead their respective teams.