Ben Stokes grateful for 'real privilege' after being named England Test captain

Star all-rounder Ben Stokes has been appointed England Test captain, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday.

Stokes was the favourite to take over from Joe Root after the batsman stepped down from the position earlier this month; England had won just one of their previous 17 Tests, a run which included a 4-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia and a 1-0 series defeat in West Indies.

After former batsman Rob Key came in as the new managing director of English cricket, Stokes' appointment was expected to be round the corner.

“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I’m excited about getting started this summer," Stokes said.

“I want to thank Joe [Root] for everything he has done for English Cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role.”

Stokes, 30, has scored more than 5,000 runs and taken 174 wickets in his 79 Tests for England, making him clear favourite for the job.

"I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity," Key said in a statement.

"I had no hesitation in offering the role of test captain to Ben. He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket."

England captain Joe Root is consoled by Ben Stokes after losing the third Test - and the series - against West Indies at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Getty

Stokes, who was Root's deputy, took an indefinite break from cricket last year to