Stokes backs Brook to become England's next Test captain

Ben Stokes has backed Harry Brook to become England's next Test captain following his own retirement from international cricket. Brook, already England's ODI and T20I captain, has been Stokes' deputy in Tests.

The England management picked Joe Root to lead against New Zealand at The Oval in the recently concluded series while Stokes was absent. Stokes clarified he was not involved in that decision.

"There's a reason why he was asked to be vice captain of this team," Stokes said after his final Test. "You're asked to be vice captain for a certain reason. If the captain's not available then you step up. There's absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn't be asked to do that."

Throwing his "100% support" behind Brook, Stokes added: "He is an incredible player, one of the more senior players in this group. If you lump more responsibility on his shoulders, we don't know if that's going to show more improvement. Only time will tell, but you don't ask someone to be vice captain if you don't think they've got the skills to captain when needed."