Joe Root set for second stint as England Test captain: report

Batting stalwart Joe Root has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Ben Stokes as the captain of the England Test team, international media reported on Friday.

England were deliberating on appointing a new Test captain following experienced all-rounder Stokes's shock retirement midway through the third and final Test of their home series against New Zealand, which the visitors eventually won 2-1.

Harry Brook, who served as Stokes's deputy since the start of last winter's Ashes, was initially seen as the latter's replacement in the leadership role despite being overlooked when the all-rounder missed the second Test of the aforementioned series, with Root being given the interim charge.

The decision did not sit well with Stokes, who insisted Brook should succeed him as the full-time England Test skipper.

Later, Brook also expressed his willingness to lead the Three Lions in Tests, saying it would be a great honour and privilege.

"Look, it would be a great honour to do it. It'd be a privilege to do it, to captain England in the highest format of our game, and the pinnacle," Brook had said during a press conference on the eve of their five-match T20I series against India in Durham last month.

However, as per a report by an American subscription-based sports news publication, Root is set to pip Brook and will be reappointed as the England Test captain, with his second stint likely to be extended until the home Ashes series against Australia, scheduled to be played next year from June 18 to August 2.

"Joe Root is set to be reappointed as England's Test captain with his second stint in the role potentially to extend through to next summer's home series against Australia," the report read.

The report further suggested that Root, who appeared to be the "only real choice", will soon be unveiled as the Test captain by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Notably, if reappointed as the England Test captain, Root's first assignment will be a three-match home series against Pakistan, scheduled to be played from August 19 to September 3.

"England's search for a new captain in the wake of the international retirement of Ben Stokes looks certain to end with what has appeared their only real choice — a second spell in charge for Root," the report continued.

"[The] ECB are set to announce that Root will captain the team for the three-Test series against Pakistan that begins on August 19 and beyond, most likely taking in next year's Ashes."