Birth of second child may see Root miss first Test
working on the Emirates Old Trafford square last week
BEN Stokes could captain England in the first Test against the West Indies with Joe Root’s wife set to give birth to their second child.
The Yorkshire batsman returned to training at Trent Bridge on Monday in anticipation of the series, but with his spouse Carrie set to give birth in just a few weeks, he might end up watching cricket’s big return from the labour ward.
The strict maintenance of a ‘bio-secure bubble’ at each venue means he would not be able to go back and forward to hospital during a five-day match.
“The start of July is the due date, so that complicates things slightly,” said Root. “It’s being discussed currently with the medical team (about leaving the bio-secure venue). It’s still open for discussion but it will have to come down to government advice, whatever that is and we’ll follow those protocols and do whatever is right.”
Taking on the captaincy would add more pressure on all-rounder Stokes.
“I think if Ben was captain he would be fantastic,” added Root. “One of his great qualities as vice-captain, and as a leader, is he sets the example.
“It’s the way he goes about his training, how he wants to bowl in difficult circumstances, the way he stands up in different scenarios with the bat...he drags people with him and gets the best out of the players around him.
“I think that’s a great quality to have as a leader and something he can take into captaincy if he was to get the opportunity.”