Stokes moves Root back to preferred spot

BEN STOKES has confirmed that Joe Root will move back to No.4 in the revamped England line-up and called on Test hopefuls to “put their hands up” for the vacant batting spots.

The new captain is starting to flesh out his plans for the redball side and, having already decided to shunt himself down a place to No.6, he has also asked his predecessor to return to his favoured position.

Root enjoyed a record-breaking year batting at four in 2021, reeling off 1,708 runs and scoring six centuries, but nudged himself back to three in the West Indies in a bid to add some steel to a faltering top order.

He still managed to hit hundreds in Antigua and Barbados, but Stokes is clear about where he wants to deploy his most dangerous weapon, saying: “I’ve already spoken with Joe. I’ve asked him to go back to four and I’m going to be at six. Wherever Joe bats he gets runs, but his best position is at four. Joe will probably be averaging 90 now instead of 60, so it’ll be good!

“I feel him at four and me at six gives us a bit of experience in that gap. So you can obviously see where the places are opening up for people to put their hands up: it’s three and five.

“I now feel I have to follow a lot more of the county games now to see who is scoring runs rather than just checking the Durham score.”

Stokes has already been promised a say in selection by managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key, and he will also have a voice when it comes to appointing a new head coach following interviews in the coming days.