Joe Root To Miss First Test Against Windies At Southampton, Stokes To Lead England

In Root's absence, deputy skipper Ben Stokes will lead England for the first time Meanwhile, wicket-keeper batsman Jos Butler will assume the role of vice captain for the opening fixture of the series.

Joe Root

England will be without the services of their seasoned captain Joe Root as he will miss next week's first Test of the upcoming 3-match Test series against the West Indies, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Tuesday. In Root's absence, deputy skipper Ben Stokes will lead England for the first time  Meanwhile, wicket-keeper batsman Jos Butler will assume the role of vice captain for the opening fixture of the series. Joe Root will leave the training camp at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton later in the day to be with his wife Carrie, who is expecting the couple's second child later this week. The regular English skipper will miss England's three-day intra-squad warm-up match starting on Wednesday and next week's first Test, also being staged at Hampshire's headquarters, which starts on July 8. Under the health guidelines for the bio-secure series, Root will commence a seven-day self-isolation period at home once he leaves hospital with his family, a preventive measure designed by the ECB to combat the spread of the coronavirus. England will be more than keen to have the Yorkshire batting mainstay back with Playing XI for the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, which starts on July 16. The Manchester ground is also the venue for the third and final match of the series, which is taking place behind closed doors.