Ben Stokes, who has been appointed England’s new Test captain following Joe Root’s resignation from the role, is on the lookout for a team of “selfless” cricketers to take the field alongside him, starting with next month’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, as the squad aspires a turnaround of fortunes after having registered just a solo win in their last 17 Test matches.
Stokes will represent Durham in the first match of the season against Worcestershire this week, having been managing a knee injury that affected him during the West Indies tour.