The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) appointed Ben Stokes as the captain of the Men's Test team. Stokes will succeed Joe Root, who stepped down from captaincy a month ago. He had stepped in for Root as captain for a solitary Test match, against the West Indies at Southampton in 2019.
'I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I'm excited about getting started this summer,' said Stokes.
Having debuted in 2013, Stokes has played 79 Test matches for them. He is among a handful of players who are guaranteed starters for the Test side. He has 5,061 runs and 174 wickets, and is one of only six Test cricketers to have done the 5,000 run-100 wicket double.
'I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben,' said England Director Rob Key. 'He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity.'