Share

Root: We still have to discuss Stokes' role

London - England Test captain Joe Root said they still have to discuss who will be his deputy for the upcoming series against New Zealand now that Ben Stokes has returned to the squad. 

Stokes is the official vice-captain of the Test team and was not stripped of the role after the incident outside a nightclub in Bristol cost him a place on last year's Ashes tour. 

Seamer James Anderson was named as the vice-captain for the Ashes, which England lost four-nil, but with Stokes now back in the Root said he and coach Trevor Bayliss will have a decision to make. 

The two-match Test series against the Black Caps starts on 22 March at Eden Park in Auckland. 

Root said of the vice-captaincy role: "That's a decision we've not agreed yet. 

"I think when we get together as a group me and Trevor will discuss a few things but that's not been discussed [yet]." 

Root though has praised Stokes for the way he has fitted back into the squad after joining up with the team before the ongoing five-match ODI series. 

The all-rounder took two wickets and scored an unbeaten fifty as the tourists levelled the series at one-all after two games. 

Root said of Stokes' return: "All I can say is what I've seen of him coming back into the environment and he's worked his nuts off as we expected him to. 

"He's gone about things exactly how you'd expect a really good professional to do and that sort of standard in training is why you get the performances on the field. 

"He worked really hard back home in Durham to make sure when he did get his opportunity to come back and play he was ready. He loves playing for England and you can see that in the way he plays. 

"He leaves nothing out there on the field, he's really dedicated to this sport and it's really nice to be able to look back on the last game and see him have such an influence on the result.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
61% - 39 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
39% - 25 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE