'I'm back at No 6!' - Stoke reveals batting switch

Newly-appointed England captain Ben Stokes has revealed he will be returning to No 6 in the batting order in a move that he believes will only help the team.

Opening up on plans for his new role, Stokes believes that moving back to No 6, rather than batting at No 5 in recent Tests, will maximise his all-round performance as he attempts to end England's slump in form.

"I am going back to No 6. I know I am at my best for England when I am doing both roles [batting and bowling] as much as the other," said Stokes.

"I feel that going back to No 6 is going to allow me to concentrate on those roles as much as the other, rather than worry about one while I am doing the other. I feel that's best for the team."

After confirming his move up the batting order, Stokes expects to make more big calls as England skipper and the input of other senior voices will be invaluable, especially when rotating his bowling attack.

However, after captaining England against the West Indies in 2020, the 30-year-old believes he has learnt how to ensure his team-mate's opinions are heard.

He said: "It is something I am going to have to focus on. I have great senior players around me and it would be stupid of me not to include them, in decisions out on the field especially.

"It's something I thought I managed very well in the Test match against West Indies. I asked Jos [Buttler] a lot about me personally and what he thought.

"When you are thinking about doing something yourself you might not be thinking about it in the way as someone else.

"Jos said to me a couple of times that you need to come on here. That is an example of me using seniority around me to help me.

"But I have always gone with my gut, which has served me quite well and I will continue