England have a new captain for their men's cricket team. Joe Root will return to the role, replacing Ben Stokes, in an announcement made by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The move marks a significant change at the top of the England set-up as the team prepares for its next assignments on the international stage.
Root is no stranger to the responsibility. At 35, he already holds the record for the most matches as captain of the England men's team, a reflection of the length and prominence of his previous spell in charge. His return places one of the country's most experienced figures back into the leadership role at the head of the side.
His earlier tenure as captain ran from 2017 to 2022. During that period he led the side across a substantial run of matches before stepping aside from the role, and it is to that familiar position that he now returns as the England and Wales Cricket Board turns to him once again to guide the team.
There is little time before Root takes up the position in earnest. According to the announcement, he will take charge when England face Pakistan next month, giving him an immediate assignment at the helm as the new leadership structure is put in place ahead of that series.
The captaincy change was not the only appointment confirmed. The board also announced that former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has been confirmed as the side's new head coach, adding an experienced international name to the England coaching set-up alongside the change in the captaincy.
Fleming steps in following the departure of Brendon McCullum, who left the head coach role two weeks ago. With Root returning as captain and Fleming arriving as head coach, England head into their series against Pakistan with a reshaped leadership team at the head of the men's side.