England vice-captain Ben Stokes has paid tribute to Joe Root following his decision to step down as Test captain after five years in charge.
As vice-captain, Stokes is widely viewed as the most likely replacement for Root, given he is one of few players guaranteed a spot in the side if fit and has previously filled in as skipper. The likes of Nasser Hussain, Ricky Ponting and Michael Atherton have all called for Stokes to be given the job.
In a post on Instagram, Stokes paid a heartfelt tribute to Root's time as captain, describing it as a "privilege" to play for him. He wrote: "Been a great ride with you my friend.
"Watching one of my great mates lead us all out on to the field was a privilege. You have given everything to English cricket and we all want to say thank you for your sacrifices and hard work. #legend @root66"
Despite the calls for him to become England's next captain, Stokes has previously expressed reluctance to take on the role. "I've never really had an ambition to be a captain," he admitted in January.
And James Anderson has also questioned whether Stokes would want the job. "He's thoroughly enjoyed his role as vice captain and there have been moments in his vice captaincy where he's had to captain the team," Anderson told BBC Radio 5 Live last month.
"In Adelaide when Joe Root got hit in the 'midriff' in the nets in the morning he missed the first hour of that day's play so Ben took charge and he thoroughly enjoyed it and he was great.
"He thinks about the game a lot and although he comes across as a player who plays on instinct and he's a match winner, he does think about the game a lot and tactically he's pretty good. But whether he wants it or not I'm not sure.
"He's someone who plays all forms of cricket, he plays the IPL and there's a lot of cricket in a year for him so to put the England captaincy on that as well... I'm not saying it wouldn't be possible but it'd just be a lot on his plate."
