Ben Stokes is set to captain England for the first time in Root’s absence. England captain Joe Root is set to miss the first Test against the West Indies.

The three-Test series between the two teams will mark the resumption of cricket after the sport was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Therefore, Root will leave the England squad, who are currently training in a bio-secure environment in Southampton where the first Test will take place; on Wednesday 1 July. After the birth of his child and upon leaving the hospital with his family. He will self-isolate at home for seven days before rejoining the squad.

Hence, England remain hopeful that this timeline will allow Root to participate in the second Test, beginning Monday 13 July.

Vice-captain Ben Stokes will fill in during Root’s absence, something the all-rounder previously said would be a “huge honour”. It will be Ben Stokes’ first game in charge of England, and his first game as captain of any side since 2008 when he captained Durham Under-17s.

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will replace Stokes as vice-captain; returning to the role he held prior to Ben Stokes re-appointment as Root’s deputy in July 2019.

England Squad:

Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly. Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes (c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Dominic Bess. Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes

West Indies Squad:

John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks. Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c). Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel. Rahkeem Cornwall, Chemar Holder, Nkrumah Bonner, Raymon Reifer