A huge honour to lead England in first Test vs Windies says Ben Stokes

London: All-rounder Ben Stokes says captaining his country even just once in his career would be a huge honour. 

Stokes will the team in the first Test against West Indies on July 8 with captain Joe Root likely to miss the game to attend the birth of his second child. "I've given it a little thought but not really dived into it yet," the 29-year-old told a virtual news conference on Monday.

"It's a huge honour to think about, and something I'm really looking forward to if the opportunity presents itself, but also at the same time I know I'm only stepping in for the one game because of Joe's personal situation."

Root, who will also miss England's intra-squad warm-up match which begins on Wednesday, will rejoin the squad on July 13 before the second Test at Old Trafford, which begins on July 16.

Stokes will become the 81st man to lead England in a Test, and the first all-rounder since Andrew Flintoff.Stokes has had two spells as vice-captain, having taken up the role when Root was made captain in 2017.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler will serve as his vice-captain for the opening match of the series, which marks the return of major international cricket from lockdown.(UNI)