Ben Stokes has officially been named England captain for the first Test against the West Indies with Joe Root to leave the camp on Wednesday.
Root will head from the Ageas Bowl to be with his wife Carrie for the birth of their second child, expected at the end of the week, leaving vice-captain Stokes to take charge for the first time.
Root will then go through a seven day isolation period at home after leaving the hospital and will rejoin the squad in Manchester on July 13 ahead of the second Test.
With Stokes' promotion, Jos Buttler has been asked once again to take up the vice-captaincy for the match.
It means Root will also miss the three day intra-squad warm up match that begins tomorrow with Stokes taking charge of one side and Buttler the other as preparations ramp up for the #raisethebat first Test.
Stokes confirmed: “Obviously it’s a huge honour to think about, and something I’m really looking forward to.
“But also at the same time I know I’m only stepping in to take over the reins for the one game because of Joe’s personal situation.”
Stokes confirmed he would be planning on staying true to his positive style as a player now that he is captain, but he would also look for advice and help from the rest of his team-mates, especially his senior players.
None are more experienced than Stuart Broad who has captained England in T20 cricket and James Anderson who was England's vice-captain on the last Ashes tour.
“We've got some really experienced guys out in the field, who I can use,” added Stokes. “We've got Jimmy and Broady, who’ve got ample Test matches and wickets between them and there are so many people that you can throw ideas off.
“I'd like to think that I'll be quite an open captain and wouldn't want to just think that my way is the only way, because I don’t necessarily think that is the best way to operate.”
