Root taking England captaincy on 'game-by-game basis' after standing in for Stokes

[p]With Stokes left out of the squad for the Oval clash after breaking a midnight curfew along with teammate Gus Atkinson, Root agreed to captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/UJC5mtAU/"]England[/a] for the first time since 2022.[/p][p]Stokes and Atkinson became embroiled in an incident at a London nightclub while celebrating England's first Test win against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-zealand/G6PWlrQB/"]New Zealand[/a], prompting reports that the Durham all-rounder could be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international cricket.[/p][p]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.[/p][p]England won just one of their last 17 Tests prior to Root stepping down as captain.[/p][embed guid="6c82936e-cb1d-42e5-8013-b963a8591dae" url="https://x.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/2066906144610848772?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]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.[/p][p][b]"I never thought I'd be sat here talking to you guys as England captain again. Zero chance... 0.1 per cent," [/b]he told reporters on Tuesday.[/p][p]"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.[/p][p][b]"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.[/b][/p][p][b]"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."[/b][/p][p]England head coach Brendon McCullum refused to be drawn on Stokes' status ahead of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/cricket/england-UJC5mtAU/new-zealand-G6PWlrQB/?mid=bcBQ09rn"]Wednesday's opening day of the second Test.[/a][/p][p]Amid an England and Wales Cricket Board investigation into the late-night incident, McCullum on Monday said he was concerned about Stokes' well-being.[/p][embed guid="b81b8e10-7c73-4939-9d00-c901f6e0506e" url="https://x.com/Cricket_TS/status/2066877875156869340/video/1" social-type="twitter" /][p]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.[/p][p]"I've spoken to him a number of times over the last week or so," Root said of Stokes. [b]"We're close friends, and I think they should stay as privileged conversations between me and him.[/b][/p][p][b]"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."[/b][/p][p]Asked if Stokes could command the same authority after flouting a curfew he helped bring in, Root added: [b]"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 has been brilliant.[/b][/p][p]"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."[/p]