New England Test captain Ben Stokes wants to lead a team of 'selfless' players

New England Test captain Ben Stokes said he wants to lead a group of “selfless” cricketers as he plans his team's revival after a period of turmoil.

England have won just one of their past 17 Tests and that included a 4-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia and a series defeat in the Caribbean.

All-rounder Stokes, 30, was appointed to the role last week after Joe Root stood down following a five-year reign. He takes over at a time when England are bottom of the World Test Championship table.

Stokes's first match in charge is against reigning world Test champions New Zealand in a three-Test series which begins at Lord's on June 2.

“It is a challenge, especially after the last few years,” Stokes told Sky Sports on Tuesday. “There's a lot that needs to change, not only on the field, and those discussions will be had.”

Stokes said he wants his players to embody his aggressive approach to the game.

“I want to have selfless cricketers who make decisions based on what they can do to win a game in that given time,” he said.

“You're always judged on winning games, and the decisions I make are based around the best thing to do to give us that chance. I want to have 10 other guys with me who are in that same mindset.”

What will also be in the back of Stokes' mind is the record of England all-rounders in captaincy position.

Two great England all-rounders - Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff - struggled after taking on the role. England failed to win any of the 12 Test matches played under Botham’s captaincy from 1980-81 and Flintoff won two of his 11 as captain from 2006-07, a period that included a 5-0 whitewash Down Under in the Ashes.

England captain Joe Root is consoled by Ben Stokes after losing the third Test - and the series - against