Root and Stokes

Ben Stokes reveals Test plans for Joe Root

Root and Stokes

Root batted at number three during England's most recent Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean, but has a far better record for his country when coming in at second drop.

The former England skipper has an excellent average of 51.27 when batting at number four, which is almost 12 runs greater than his mark (39.67) when batting at three.

Root did manage two centuries while batting at three during his final series as Test captain against West Indies, but Stokes feels it will be best for the side to return the 31-year-old to his more natural position at four.

England currently sit on the bottom of the World Test Championship standings with the sole Test victory over the last 12 months and will need Root firing on all cylinders if they are to propel themselves ahead of other countries.

Stokes plans to bat himself at six and is hoping prospective players that harbour aspirations of batting in England's recently frail top and middle-orders will give him plenty to ponder by scoring a bulk of runs at county level ahead of the first Test of the summer against the Kiwis at Lord's on June 2.

"I've already spoken with Joe. I've asked him to go back to four and I'm going to be at six," Stokes said.

"Wherever Joe bats he gets runs, but his best position is at four. Joe will probably be averaging 90 now instead of 60 (Root's average in 2021), so it'll be good.

"I feel him at four and me at six gives us a bit of experience in that gap. So you can obviously see where the places are opening up for people to put their hands up, it's three and five.

"I now feel I have to follow a lot more of the county games now to see who is scoring runs rather than just checking the Durham score."

The make-up of England's bowling line-up for that first Test next month remains unclear, with Stokes unlikely to have a full list of seamers to choose from because of injury.

Noted speedsters Jofra Archer and Mark Wood remain on the sidelines, while left-armer Sam Curran only made a successful return from injury for his county side last week.

The new England captain has already revealed he will hand recalls to veteran duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, with the likes of Ollie Robinson and Chris Woakes likely to be in the mix to feature alongside first choice spinner Jack Leach.

"You look at the players who aren't available through injury – (Mark) Wood, (Jofra) Archer, (Olly) Stone, (Sam) Curran - they'd all be seriously fighting for places," Stokes said.

"Then you place them among Broady, Jimmy, Robbo, Woakesy...it's so exciting to think about the team we could put out there if we don't have any injuries. Unfortunately we do. We just have to pick the best XI we have to choose from and I'll always make sure we do that."