Ricky Ponting joins calls for Ben Stokes to replace Joe Root as England captain

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has become the latest ex-cricketer to call for Ben Stokes to replace Joe Root as England captain.

Root's leadership has come under fire during the ongoing Ashes series, with Australia retaining the urn inside 12 days.

Ian Chappell has described his captaincy as "the opposite definition of excellent leadership", while Geoffrey Boycott has claimed Root "lacks imagination".

Michael Atherton even went as far as to state the Ashes "could have been a much closer series had Root got things right on the field".

Atherton, who captained England in 54 Test matches, suggested Stokes should replace him, saying: "Ben Stokes is a viable alternative, having done an excellent job as a stand-in briefly in the summer.

Ricky Ponting believes Ben Stokes should replace Joe Root as England captain after the Ashes (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

"His bowling is starting to wind down, and, as he may not get into England’s best T20 side now, he can be given a breather during those matches."

Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has also suggested Stokes should take over from Root, claiming the all-rounder is "tactically the best captain".

Now, Ponting has backed Stokes to replace Root, telling Channel 7: "I think it's time. I think four or five years in the job – having been there and done it myself, and with what they've done in the last couple of years – I think it's time for him to move on and give someone else [a chance] and that someone else has to be Ben Stokes."

However, Stokes has distanced himself from the captaincy, publicly backing Root to continue in the role.

"I've never really had an ambition to be a captain," Stokes said. "It's totally Joe's decision, he shouldn't be forced into doing it.

"I'm sure Cooky felt the same way. He did it for so long. When he knew his time was up, his time was up.

Ponting feels it is time for Root to step down as skipper (Philip Brown/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

"I don't sense that at all with Joe. The most important people's opinions are those guys in the dressing room and they've got our thorough support.

"Captaincy is more than about setting fields, picking the team, making decisions out there in the middle.

"A captain is someone you want to go out and play for. Joe Root is someone I always want to play for."