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Kevin Pietersen believes there is "no obvious choice" to replace Joe Root as England 's Test captain and there will be "issues" for anyone who takes on the role.

Root announced on Friday that he had decided to step down after five years as skipper. It comes in the wake of a dismal Ashes series in Australia, and a record of just one victory in the team's last 17 Tests.

Root's personal form has remained strong, but in his resignation statement the Yorkshire batter spoke of the "toll" the captaincy had taken on him. His optimistic final line read: "I look forward to helping the next captain, my teammates and coaches in whatever way I can."

Ahead of a busy summer of Test cricket, there is a need to install his replacement fairly swiftly so they can be comfortable in the role before New Zealand turn up at Lord's at the start of June. Pietersen, who himself had a brief spell as captain in his playing days, is worried over the lack of viable options.

Ben Stokes is one of the names that has been floated, and would be a popular choice among fans after becoming the team's talisman in recent years. But, after the all-rounder took a lengthy break from the sport last year, Pietersen is wary that there is already enough pressure on him.

"In terms of captains, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious choice," the 41-year-old told Betway. "Stokes may be the leading candidate as an experienced player who will surely start the summer in the side, but