Ben Stokes drops verdict on Joe Root’s return as England Test captain and outlines his future ambitions
- Ben Stokes has questioned on the For the Love of Cricket podcast the decision to reappoint Joe Root as England Test captain, with Harry Brook despite serving as his vice-captain since the Ashes.
- Stokes, who retired from international cricket in June, expressed confusion over why Brook was not given the captaincy, especially after being vice-captain, and was also surprised that he did not lead the team when Stokes was stood down for disciplinary reasons.
- Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, stated last week that it was “too soon” for Brook, who is the white-ball captain, to take on the Test captaincy duties.
- Stokes revealed his aspiration to coach England one day, stating he would “absolutely” love to be the coach and has already assisted the second-string England Lions at training camps.
- He also clarified that he never considered relinquishing the captaincy to continue solely as a player, finding it difficult to play for England without the leadership role at 35 years old.
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