‘Proud’ Stokes relishes leading England team in absence of Root at series opener

Vice-captain Stokes will lead England for the first time in Southampton. Butler will take over as vice-captain for the opening match of the series, which marks the return of major international cricket from lockdown

England captain Joe Root will miss next week’s first Test against the West Indies, the England and Wales cricket Board confirmed on Tuesday.

Root will leave the training camp at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday to be with his wife Carrie, who is expecting the couple’s second child later this week.

The skipper will miss England’s three-day intrasquad warm-up match starting on Wednesday and next week’s first Test, also being staged at Hampshire’s headquarters, which starts on July 8. Root’s absence had been widely expected. Under health protocols for the bio-secure series, Root will begin a seven-day self-isolation period at home once he leaves hospital with his family, in a measure designed to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

England hope to have the Yorkshire batsman back with their squad for the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which starts on July 16.

The Manchester ground is also the venue for the third and final match of the series, which is taking place behind closed doors.

Vice-captain Ben Stokes will lead England for the first time in Southampton.

Jos Butler will take over as vice-captain for the opening match of the series, which marks the return of major international cricket from lockdown.

Earlier, Stokes said he was “proud” to be in a position where he might replace Root as England skipper, even though he has not captained a side since he was a teenager.

The powerful all-rounder said he would accept the “huge honour” if it came his way.

“Even if it’s only the once you can still say ‘yeah, I’ve captained England’,” he told a conference call on Monday.

Stokes was restored to his position as Test vice-captain in July 2019, nearly a year ater being found not guilty of affray following an incident outside a nightclub.

“Ater that happened it was ‘right, what am I going to do from this point forward?,” Stokes told Sky in a separate interview as he recalled the incident. “How am I going to carry and conduct myself?’

“I’m quite proud to say I’m in this situation through hard work and determination. I wanted to get beter and it’s been no fluke.”

But Stokes, who last led a cricket team aged 16 for Durham Academy, insisted captaincy had never been on his list of priorities.

“I’ve never set a goal to want to be a captain,” explained the 29-year-old.

“Alastair Cook was always destined to be England captain ater Andrew Strauss. Joe Root was always destined to be captain ater Alastair Cook.

“If I’m being honest, I’m not one of those that people would necessarily associate (as) the next England captain.”

With Stokes already England’s star all-rounder, pundits including former captain Kevin Pietersen have said he does not need the extra responsibility of captaincy as well.

But Stokes, who jokingly said he would have “nine slips and a gully” as captain, insisted leadership would not dull his atacking approach.

Last year he played a key role in England’s World Cup triumph before scoring a stunning century at Headingley to win an astounding Test victory over Australia.

“Even if I am in charge that’s not going to change the way that I go about things, in terms of how I want to influence the game, which is try to make a positive effect with the ball or bat in my hand,” he said.