‘Zero chance... 0.1 per cent’: Reinstated England captain’s admission as FIVE changes confirmed

Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a “game-by-game basis” after replacing the exiled Ben Stokes for this week’s second Test against New Zealand.

With Stokes left out of the squad for the Oval clash after breaking a midnight curfew along with teammate Gus Atkinson, Root agreed to skipper England for the first time since 2022.

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Stokes and Atkinson became embroiled in an incident at a London nightclub while celebrating England’s first Test win against New Zealand, prompting reports the Durham all-rounder could be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international cricket.

Root led England in a record 64 matches before being replaced by Stokes once the leadership role took a heavy toll on his form and peace of mind.

England won just one of their last 17 Tests prior to Root stepping down as captain.

The 35-year-old batsman believes he is in a “different place” now, making him confident he will be able to lift the mood around the England squad after a turbulent period.

“I never thought I’d be sat here talking to you guys as England captain again. Zero chance... 0.1 per cent,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“The only thinking that came to my mind is what is the best thing for this team, is it going to have a big effect on me and my personal life and which outweighed the other.

“The fact is it felt like it was the right thing to take this on, so I tried to make it as simple as that. I think I am in a very different place to when I finished.

“To be captaining this group of players is a really exciting opportunity. It’s a game-by-game basis, I think. Let’s not look beyond this week.”

England head coach Brendon McCullum refused to be drawn on Stokes’ status ahead of Wednesday’s opening day of the second Test.

Amid an England and Wales Cricket Board investigation into the late-night incident, McCullum on Monday said he was concerned about Stokes’ well-being.

Root, who is a close friend of the all-rounder, could lead England again in the third Test at Trent Bridge, which begins just three days after the scheduled finish at the Oval.

“I’ve spoken to him a number of times over the last week or so,” Root said of Stokes.

“We’re close friends and I think they should stay as privileged conversations between me and him.

“When it comes to how Ben’s feeling, how he is, I think they’re all questions that he should be answering himself. I’m sure, at the right time and when he’s ready, he will.”

Asked if Stokes could command the same authority after flouting a curfew he helped bring in, Root added: “I’m sure he has this respect of everyone in our dressing room. He’s been a phenomenal leader for the last four years and the way he’s captained been brilliant.

“He’s a talismanic player and a great friend to a number of the guys, so of course there’s a huge amount of respect there from everyone.”

Elsewhere, uncapped wicketkeeper-batter James Rew will make his debut in a much-changed England team for the second Test against New Zealand after being called in to replace Jamie Smith on Tuesday.

“Smith has been withdrawn from the Test match following the birth of his second child earlier today, enabling him to remain with his partner and family,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board in a statement.

England won the first Test at Lord’s but Rew, a 22-year-old Somerset player will be one of three debutants and five changes at the Oval.

Fast bowler Sonny Baker and batter Jordan Cox, who is also a wicketkeeper, had already been called up to replace captain and all-rounder Stokes and bowler Atkinson.

Jofra Archer and Matt Fisher have also been recalled in place of fast bowler Ollie Robinson, who is injured, and spinner Shoaib Bashir, who has been dropped.

Atkinson and Robinson both took seven wickets in the first Test. Last season Rew, a left-hander became the youngest Englishman to hit 10 first-class centuries since Denis Compton in 1939. He has scored two more since.

He was called into the Test squad for one match against Zimbabwe last year and toured Australia as captain of England’s development Lions squad.

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