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Joe Root has been appointed the new Test captain of England after being offered the post by Andrew Strauss over the weekend.
In accepting the role, the batsman commented that it was ‘a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy’.
The Yorkshireman succeeds Alastair Cook as captain following his resignation one week ago, being promoted from the post of vice-captain upon the ECB’s conclusion of interviews which also saw Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad approached.
Root now bears responsibility for a team described by Cook as ‘stagnating’ but said there was plenty he could build on after the successes of his predecessor.
“I feel privileged, humbled and very excited,” Root told the ECB’s official website.
“We have a very good group of players and I’m looking forward to leading them out in the summer, building on Alastair’s achievements and making the most of our talents in the years ahead.
“The senior guys in the changing room play a very influential role and whilst there’s a natural progression for me it’s a huge support to know that they are there to help and advise.”
Root will become the 80th man to lead England when they meet South Africa at Lord’s in July. But the 26-year-old will have a wait on his hands until then as the current schedule builds towards the ICC Champions Trophy with ODI series against West Indies and Ireland.
Ben Stokes has been appointed as deputy to Root as England’s Test team look to engage with a new generation of promising young players after a 2016 which ended sourly in Bangladesh and fragmented in India.
England director of cricket Andrew Strauss lent his support to the new leader, saying: “Joe is the right man to be our next Test captain and I’m thrilled that he has accepted the role.
“After Alastair Cook stepped down last week, the selectors and I engaged in the proper process to appoint his successor.
“Joe has shown a number of admirable qualities in his Test career so far. Making his debut in 2012 at the age of 21 and going on to establish himself as one of the premier batsmen in all forms of the game in such a short period of time demonstrates his drive, determination, cricketing intelligence and an ability to learn that will serve him well in his new role.
“He is universally respected by his team mates, passionate about driving the Test team forward and extremely excited about the prospect of leading his country,” Strauss affirmed.
Root will begin to shape his Test squad in series against South Africa (four Tests) and West Indies (three Tests) in front of home crowds this summer, prior to travelling Down Under to face off with Steve Smith in the Ashes come November.
