Michael Atherton, a former England captain and well-known commentator, has stated that Ben Stokes, the newly-appointed Test captain, should not be considered as a long-term red-ball leader.

Stokes, who had previously served as Joe Root’s deputy, was the overwhelming favourite to manage a struggling side that had won just one of their previous 17 games.

Atherton, according to Mirror.co.uk, should be handed the role for a limited time in order to overhaul the side.

“It would be a mistake to imagine Stokes as necessarily a long-term pick. Having seen the way the job wears down even the toughest and flintiest of characters, there is no need for the same to happen to Stokes,” Atherton thinks.

“Let him give the job his all for a short period of time, hoping to help transform attitudes and approach, and then step away while he has more to give as a player,” he believes.