Root’s first spell as Test captain was between 2017 and 2022 and he captained England to a record 27 Test wins in 65 matches.<\/p>\n
He will work with new England Test coach Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, in the role.<\/p>\n
Root stepped down from his first stint as skipper in April 2022, following a 10-wicket defeat by West Indies.<\/p>\n
At that time, England had won just one of their past 17 Tests, including a 4-0 Ashes humbling in Australia, while also navigating Covid restrictions – with Root saying the job “took its toll” on his health.<\/p>\n
“I wish him [Root] nothing but success. I hope he goes on and achieves amazing things in his role as captain and I think he’s going to really enjoy it with Flem [Fleming]. He’s a great man,” said Stokes.<\/p>\n
“I’ve worked with Flem before but I told Joe, I said my only worry is just you. And that’s all I really care about now, just because I have seen what he went through and how much he put himself through for someone.<\/p>\n
“He’s just always put the team first – he always comes second. And that’s just my only concern with it, is just obviously knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team. I don’t want to see that ever happen again because I care for Joe a lot, but I wish him all the success in the world.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure he’s going to do great. So I’m looking forward to seeing what the team does going forward.”<\/p>\n
Fleming replaced Brendon McCullum as coach of England’s Test team.<\/p>\n
McCullum was fired following a string of poor results and several off-field incidents involving his players, but remains in charge of England’s white-ball sides. <\/p>\n