Ben Stokes, the star all-rounder, has won the contest to succeed Joe Root as England’s next Test captain.

On Thursday, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) appointed Stokes as the next Test captain, succeeding Root.

“It is a privilege to be granted the opportunity to captain the England Test team.”

“This is a tremendous honor, and I’m looking forward to getting started this summer,” Stokes said.

“I’d like to congratulate Joe (Root) for everything he’s done for English cricket, and for always being a fantastic advocate for the game around the world,” he added.

“He’s been a huge part of my growth as a leader in the locker room, and he’ll continue to be a valuable ally in this role.”

Rob Key, the newly-appointed Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, has made his first move since being named to the position earlier this month.

“I have no qualms about awarding Ben the post of Test captain,” Key stated.

“He embodies the mindset and approach we want to use to lead this squad into the next age of red-ball cricket.”

“I am overjoyed that he has agreed, and I am confident that he is up to the increased duty and honour. He is well-deserving of this opportunity,” he remarked.

After England’s 1-0 Test series loss to West Indies in the Caribbean, Root stood down as Test captain, leaving Stokes with a lot of work to do to get his team off the bottom of the World Test Championship points table.

Since the commencement of the 2021-2023 World Test Championship, England has struggled for consistency, with a series loss in the West Indies followed by a terrible Ashes campaign in Australia.

One of Stokes’ first responsibilities will be to assemble England’s strongest Test XI, however whether veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad are included remains to be seen.

The pair were not selected for the West Indies tour, but they could be considered for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the rescheduled Test against India.

With a 12.50 win-percentage, England is currently ninth and last in the World Test Championship standings, thanks to their lone Test victory in the 2021-2023 season against India at Headingley last year.