England’s Ben Stokes may not return as Test vice-captain, Joe Root admits

• ‘That’s a decision we’ve not agreed yet’ – Root before Bayliss talks
• Mark Wood in contention for third ODI against New Zealand

Ben Stokes may have reassumed his mantle as match-winning all-rounder in his second game back but not all of the roles bestowed on him will be handed back so quickly. Speaking on Thursday, the Test captain, Joe Root, admitted Stokes is not guaranteed to return as his vice-captain for the Tests against New Zealand.

A suspension placed on Stokes by the England and Wales Cricket Board after his arrest on 25 September in Bristol meant he played no part in the Ashes, with Jimmy Anderson acting as Root’s deputy for the five-Test series against Australia. After Stokes returned to international duty for the one-day series with New Zealand, a man-of-the-match performance from him in the second ODI – 63 not out to go with two for 42 – levelled the series at 1-1.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2F2U7zj