Ben Stokes insists his role as vice-captain to Joe Root will not alter his aggressive playing style and says the pair are now set on turning England into a side that makes supporters fall back in love with Test cricket.
Root, who replaced Alastair Cook as Test captain on Monday, will set out his vision for the side when he is officially unveiled at Headingley on Wednesday. Speaking before this, and for the first time in his capacity as the new No2, Stokes gave the first indication they are planning a vibrant reboot.
He said: “Test cricket is the pinnacle and we need people to fall in love with it again. We need to win but we want to perform in a manner that makes people want to come and watch us.
“Rooty and I have known each other for years, from county age group, England age group, Lions and now England. We have the same direction of where we want to take the team.”
Stokes said the side were emerging from “transition”, the new era beginning with England at No4 in the current world rankings after a year of stagnation in 2016. During this time Stokes, 25, has grown into the role of senior player in the ranks. But his fiery approach, which led to his being officially sanctioned twice during the tour of Bangladesh and India before Christmas, is not likely to be altered by the new responsibility.
“Everything I do is to win and being vice-captain won’t change me as a person or as a player,” he said. “I want to be involved in all aspects of the game, whether it’s hitting the winning runs or taking the final wicket. I have always wanted to be in the middle of it.
“Being vice‑captain I will have to bring a mental and supportive side, too. If I am not involved in the game then I will have to add my tactical input. I have been more vocal over the last year but I only speak when I think something needs to be said. I’m not one for cliches.”
On Root, who at 26 is the youngest England Test captain since Mike Atherton in 1993, Stokes said: “He’s got respect from everyone in the changing room and from other cricketers around the world. We listen to him when he speaks. He’s a natural cricket thinker and speaks a lot of sense.”
England, meanwhile, have confirmed that David Willey will miss the one-day series against West Indies in the Caribbean next month after the Yorkshire all‑rounder underwent surgery on a torn shoulder tendon and was ruled out until April. Steven Finn, who is playing in the Pakistan Super League, has replaced him in the squad.
