Ben Stokes has shared his honest thoughts on Joe Root’s return as England’s Test captain, revealing that his biggest concern is not the team’s future but Root’s personal well-being. The former England skipper believes Root has everything required to lead the side again, yet he worries that the pressure of captaincy could once again take a toll on one of England’s greatest batters. Cricket fans following every major international development through Login & Signup Laser247 have seen this become one of the biggest talking points in world cricket.
Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast alongside Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad, Stokes explained that he had a heartfelt conversation with Root soon after the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed his reappointment. Instead of discussing tactics or team selection, Stokes focused on Root’s mental and emotional well-being, recalling how difficult his previous spell as captain had become.
Joe Root stepped down as England captain in 2022 after admitting that leadership had created an unhealthy balance in both his professional and personal life. The challenging Covid-19 period, strict bio-secure environments, and England’s inconsistent performances added enormous pressure to his role. Stokes later took over the captaincy and successfully introduced a more aggressive and fearless style of cricket that transformed England’s Test team.
Despite supporting Root’s comeback, Stokes admitted he still worries about his close friend. According to him, Root has always been someone who puts the team ahead of himself, often ignoring his own well-being in pursuit of success. That selfless attitude is one of Root’s greatest strengths, but Stokes believes it can also become his biggest challenge when carrying the responsibility of leading England once again.
England’s new Test head coach Stephen Fleming played a significant role in Root’s return as captain. Having worked with Fleming in the Indian Premier League, Stokes believes the experienced New Zealander is the ideal coach to support Root throughout this new chapter. Fleming’s calm approach and tactical understanding could help create a balanced environment where Root can focus on both leadership and his batting.
Another topic that surprised Stokes was England’s decision not to promote Harry Brook despite naming him vice-captain earlier. Stokes questioned what message the management was sending by overlooking Brook when opportunities arose. In his opinion, if a player is trusted enough to become vice-captain, he should also be trusted to lead the team whenever required.
Harry Brook has quickly established himself as one of England’s brightest young stars with his fearless batting and confident attitude. While the selectors believed it was too early to hand him the captaincy following recent off-field incidents, Stokes disagreed, insisting that future leaders gain experience only when they are given responsibility.
The discussion also shifted towards cricket’s long-standing relationship with alcohol. Stokes rejected suggestions that England specifically has a drinking culture. Instead, he argued that alcohol has been deeply connected with cricket at every level for decades, from local club matches to international competitions. He acknowledged that the sport has become far more professional in areas such as fitness, nutrition, sports science, and recovery, but believes attitudes towards alcohol have changed very little over the years.
Stokes also reflected on his own experiences, admitting there were periods in his career when his relationship with alcohol was not healthy. However, he emphasized that his lifestyle has changed significantly and hopes future generations of cricketers continue moving toward a more professional culture.
Looking beyond his playing career, Stokes revealed his ambition to remain involved in English cricket as a coach. He is currently completing his ECB Level Three coaching qualification while continuing to represent Durham in county cricket. Coaching England one day remains one of his biggest long-term dreams.
At the same time, Stokes firmly ruled out making a return to England’s Test side after announcing his retirement. Multiple injuries, physical demands, and years of leading the national team convinced him that stepping away was the right decision. He admitted that if he were ever to play Test cricket again, it would only have been as England captain, making retirement feel like the natural conclusion to an unforgettable career.
As England begin a new era under Joe Root and Stephen Fleming, cricket supporters worldwide will closely follow how this leadership partnership develops. Whether Root can balance captaincy with his world-class batting will be one of the defining stories of the coming Test seasons. Stay connected with every England cricket update, exclusive match analysis, and international cricket news through Login & Signup Laser247 for complete coverage throughout the season.