England captain Joe Root will miss the first Test against the West Indies this month due to the birth of his second child, meaning Ben Stokes will lead the national team for the first time.
Root, 29, will leave his side’s training camp at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday in order to be with his wife, Carrie, who is expected to welcome the couple’s second child later in the week.
Root will also miss England’s three-day intra-squad warm-up match, which starts on Wednesday.
The first West Indies Test begins on 8 July at the Ageas Bowl and is due to finish on 12 July.
Root will begin a seven-day self-isolation period at home once he has left the hospital with his family. He is then set to rejoin the England squad ahead of the second Test, which takes place at Old Trafford and begins on 16 July.
Durham all-rounder Stokes has been Test vice-captain since his appointment last summer.
Lancashire’s Jos Buttler will take on vice-captaincy duties as a result of Stokes leading the team for the first time.
