Joe Root set to be reappointed England Test captain

Joe Root, 35, is set to be reappointed as England's Test cricket captain following Ben Stokes' shock retirement from international cricket after England's 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not yet finalised the decision, but Root is described as the clear favourite and is expected to be confirmed within days. The appointment comes amid wider upheaval, with coach Brendon McCullum also having been sacked, leaving England without a captain or coach ahead of their three-match series against Pakistan starting 19 August.