Stokes replaces Joe Root in the role, with his appointment ratified by the ECB board on Tuesday evening
Ben Stokes has been named as England men's new Test captain.
The allrounder replaces Joe Root in the role, following his resignation on April 15.
The appointment was approved on Tuesday evening by the ECB board after Stokes had been offered the role by Rob Key, the national governing body's new managing director of England men's cricket.
"I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben," said Key, for whom appointing Stokes is his first major move.
"He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity."
Stokes, who was vice-captain for much of Root's term in charge, was widely considered to be the only viable successor to his great friend. While other names were mooted, it always seemed likely that Stokes would take on the role once Root had announced his departure.
Stokes has previously led England in a single Test – the defeat by West Indies at the Ageas Bowl – when Root was on paternity leave in July 2020.
"I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team," said Stokes. "This is a real privilege, and I'm excited about getting started this summer.
"I want to thank Joe for everything he has done for English cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role."
Stokes has replaced Joe Root as England's new captain (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Tom Harrison, the ECB's chief executive, added: "I am delighted that Ben has agreed to become England men's Test captain, which is another great achievement in his extraordinary career in an England shirt.
"He cares deeply and passionately about what it means to represent England and he will lead us into a new era with great pride. It's an important summer for our Test side and Ben will I am sure relish the challenge before him and his team."
Stokes, who made his Test debut late in 2013, has represented England on 79 occasions in red-ball cricket, scoring 5,061 runs at an average of 35.89. He has taken 174 wickets with the ball.
He was initially named as vice-captain in February 2017 but was dropped from the squad for that winter's Ashes series following his arrest for his part in a brawl outside a bar in Bristol. He returned for the series in New Zealand in March 2018 though not immediately as vice-captain.
More recently, he missed England's Test summer in 2021. He returned from the Indian Premier League with a finger injury and then took an indefinite break from the game from last July "to prioritise his mental wellbeing".
He came back into the fold ahead of the winter and was an ever-present during England's defeats in Australia and the Caribbean.
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