Ben Stokes in line for England Test captaincy with Rob Key set to outline vision

Ben Stokes could be confirmed as England’s Test captain as soon as Thursday, when new managing director Rob Key appears at Lord’s to outline his vision for the men’s side.

Stokes was the immediate favourite to succeed Joe Root when the Yorkshireman stood down after five years in charge but, with a leadership vacuum at the England and Wales Cricket Board, no decision could be made until Key’s appointment was ratified.

The former Kent captain, who was capped 21 times by his country across formats, held positive talks with Stokes in Durham this week when sounding him out as the next skipper, the PA news agency understands.

Despite his previous role as Root’s right-hand man, his decision was not a given. His workload as a full-blooded all-rounder is already sizeable, he has previously distanced himself from coveting the job and only last year he took a four-month mental health break from the sport.

But as a cricketer he has defined himself by devoting himself to the needs of the team and it has become increasingly clear that, with the only other captaincy options lacking experience, form or a current place in the team, his promotion is best for business.

Rubberstamping his appointment at ECB board level should be a formality but it is not certain that it will be pushed through in the next 24 hours.

Key, an accomplished television broadcaster in recent years, is due to face the media for the first time since taking the reins on Thursday and would prefer to come bearing news on Stokes.

That would give him something concrete to talk about and help nudge the conversation forward with less than five weeks before the first Test of the summer against New Zealand.

With the recruitment process for specialist red and white-ball head