Excited, honoured: Stokes

Updated On: 29 April, 2022 09:33 AM IST | London | AFP

Ben privileged to be picked as England’s new Test captain; expresses gratitute to erstwhile skipper Joe Root ahead of his first Test series against NZ, the country of his birth, in June

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All-rounder Ben Stokes speaks with then England captain Joe Root during the first Test against West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at Antigua in March. Pic/Getty Images

Star all-rounder Ben Stokes was named as England’s new Test captain on Thursday, replacing Joe Root, who stood down earlier this month after a string of painful defeats. Stokes, 30, who served as Root’s deputy, was the overwhelming favourite to take charge of a struggling team that have won just one of their past 17 matches. Stokes, whose career is peppered with staggering performances with bat and ball, has been a loyal lieutenant to Root and made a point of praising his friend and predecessor in a short statement.

‘Joe, a great ambassador’

“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. I want to thank Joe 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,” he said.

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