Joe Root not ruling out longer stint as England captain amid Ben Stokes saga

England's Test captaincy is in flux as Joe Root weighs a longer stint amid the Ben Stokes saga. Root agreed to step back in at the Kia Oval this week as Stokes' future remains unresolved following a late-night incident, with Gus Atkinson also stood down for the second Rothesay Test after breaching team protocols. Root, who captained England in a record 64 Tests from 2017 to 2022, says his return will be managed on a game-by-game basis. Head coach Brendon McCullum declined to rule on Stokes' status while the ECB investigation continues, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding England's leadership. The third Test at Trent Bridge begins three days after the Oval's finish, with a seven-week gap before Pakistan, highlighting a pivotal period for English cricket as leadership questions loom.