The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on Thursday, announced the star all-rounder Ben Stokes as the captain of England’s men’s Test team. Stokes will become the 81st captain of the English side in the longest format.
Stokes’s first assignment as the Test captain would be a two-match home series against New Zealand in June.
“I am honored 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 (Root) 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,” Stokes said in a statement released by ECB.
The new managing director of England men’s cricket Rob Key met with Stokes earlier this week at Durham to discuss about the captaincy and offer him the duties and the England all-rounder has agreed to take on the position.
“I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben,” the Managing Director of England men’s cricket, Rob Key said on Thursday.
“Durham’s Ben Stokes has been appointed captain of the England Men’s Test team by the England & Wales Cricket Board. He succeeds Joe Root in becoming the 81st captain of the England Men’s Test team. The ECB Interim Chair and Chief Executive Officer approved the appointment on Tuesday evening following the recommendation by the Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key,” ECB said in its official release.
The Christchurch-born has 5061 runs in the longest format of the game at an average of 35.89, while he picked 174 wickets as well.
