Stokes will feel ‘a lot easier’ being England captain after Root resignation

Joe Root has stepped down as England Test captain following a series defeat to the West Indies and vice-captain Ben Stokes has been widely tipped as his most likely successor

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Joe Root resigns as England Test captain after disastrous winter

Michael Atherton has claimed that Ben Stokes will “feel a lot easier” about replacing Joe Root as England Test captain given he has resigned and not been sacked.

Root has stepped down as skipper after five years in charge following a series defeat to the West Indies. And Stokes is widely viewed as his most likely replacement, given he is one of the few players guaranteed a spot in the side if fit and the current vice-captain.

Atherton, who led England for 54 Tests between 1993 and 2001, believes Stokes is the “obvious” option to replace Root. He also feels it is more likely that Stokes will take the job now Root has “stepped down of his own accord”.

When asked who could potentially succeed Root, Atherton told Sky Sports : “There aren’t many. You’ve got to pick someone worth their place in the side.

“The days are long gone where you could have a Mike Brearley figure, someone who wouldn’t necessarily be the first choice. Because of the scrutiny, you’ve got to be worth your place in the side.

“Ben Stokes is the obvious one, and what helps is that Joe Root has stepped down of his own accord. Ben Stokes is very loyal to Joe and he will feel a lot easier about taking the job if offered given that Root stepped down of his own accord.”

Atherton also said he felt Root “should really have stepped down at the end of the Ashes”, adding: “I’m not surprised. It had got to a stage at the end of the Ashes, even before the West Indies tour, where it was pretty clear change was needed.

“There comes a moment in every England captain’s life where you realise you’ve given it all and you can’t do anymore. I think there was a particular moment in the Grenada Test where Ben Foakes was run out, the England team were sliding out and the cameras panned in on Joe Root on the England balcony with a look of despair and that realisation came to him he should really have stepped down at the end of the Ashes given how that tour had gone.

“They tried to insulate his captaincy by getting rid of the coach Chris Silverwood and managing director and leaving some senior players, but I think it was pretty evident Joe had come to the end of the road.”