Ben Stokes is a talisman who will do a great job as stand-in captain for England in the first Test against West Indies, head coach Chris Silverwood has said.
Stokes will skipper the side as international cricket returns from the coronavirus-enforced hiatus at the Ageas Bowl on July 8, with England's regular Test captain Joe Root set to miss the opening game of the three-match series to be at the birth of his second child.
Root will have to self-isolate for seven days before returning to the England camp ahead of the final two Tests at Old Trafford as part of coronavirus protocols.
All-rounder Stokes will step into the breach, with Jos Buttler serving as vice-captain, and Silverwood has the utmost confidence in the Durham man to perform the role to a high standard.
"I think he will do a great job," Silverwood told reporters at a media conference.
"He is a talisman, isn't he? He leads from the front anyway. He is conscientious of the people around him as well so I think he will do a great job in Joe Root's absence."
Asked what kind of captain he will be, Silverwood replied: "We will find out won't we?
"We know he has got an aggressive nature but equally there is a good cricket brain in there as well.
"I think he will be quite thoughtful about what moves he is making out there. I'm looking forward to working with him from a coaching point of view. I will extend him the same courtesies I do Rooty.
"He will have a lot of say in what is going on and he will play a big part in giving his opinions across selection as well.
"I think he's in a good position to do it, he's been Rooty's right-hand man for a while. I know Rooty does turn to him a lot. He's been in a lot of the talks we have behind the scenes so he's in a great place to pick up the reins."
