Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Mike Atherton say talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes should fill the vacuum left after Joe Root resigned as Test skipper. Stokes—presently nursing a knee injury—can take the England job with an easy conscience as he had said he would turn it down if his good friend Root was sacked. Root, though, walked of his own accord announcing his resignation on Friday.

Veteran fast bowler Stuart Broad has also been mentioned as a potential captain, but his place in the side is seen as being less secure—he was controversially omitted from the West Indies tour. “I don’t see anyone else who could take the position and be guaranteed of their place in the side,” said Vaughan referring to Stokes.