Joe Root likely to lead England in 3rd Test against New Zealand, as there is no designated vice-captain

Joe Root likely to lead England: If Ben Stokes, the recently chosen captain, is unable to play in the match against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, Joe Root might lead the England National Cricket Team in Test cricket once more.

The third and final Test match in the three-match Test series between England and New Zealand will take place at Headingley, Leeds, beginning on June 23. With dominating wins in the first two games against the Kiwis, England had already secured the series.

Meanwhile, because of Ben Stokes‘ illness, England began their preparations for the third Test on Tuesday.

Stokes was sick during the weekend in Cockermouth and is yet to join the England red-ball squad. Stokes, however, has not contracted Covid-19, according to an ECB official, who verified that Stokes’ test result was negative.

In the absence of Ben Stokes, England will be led by Joe Root, according to reports.
Stokes is expected to be well enough to join the squad in the next 24 hours and play in the final Test against New Zealand.

However, if Stokes is unable to perform due to illness, Brendon McCullum, the new head coach, may have selection difficulties.

The England squad currently does not have a designated Test vice-captain. In the absence of Stokes, ESPNcricinfo reports that Joe Root, who stepped down as Test captain following the West Indies series, might return to head the team.

Joe Root had resigned as captain after England’s Test squad had had a bad run under his leadership, and Stokes had been named the new skipper.

Meanwhile, there is no like-for-like substitute for Stokes in the England Test team, as the 14-man squad lacks an all-rounder capable of batting at No. 6 and bowling frontline speed.

If Stokes is unable to play, England will have to make a huge choice on whether to replace him with Somerset’s Craig Overton or Harry Brook, who can walk into the XI as a pure batter.