Ben Stokes has vowed to captain England with the same attacking instincts that have made him one of the most exciting players in international cricket.

Stokes is increasingly certain to earn a temporary promotion during next week’s first Test against the West Indies, with regular skipper Joe Root expecting his second child in the coming days.

Ordinarily Root would return to lead the team at the earliest possible opportunity but, given the strict protocols around the series’ ‘bio-secure’ bubble, he will need to isolate himself from team-mates for a week following his trip to the maternity ward.

As vice-captain Stokes is ready and willing to step up in those circumstances, adding to to the already crowded list of responsibilities he enjoys as the side’s primary all-rounder and talisman.

And fresh off the back of his unforgettable achievements in 2019, it is no surprise that he plans on taking a bold approach.

“Nine slips and a gully, probably,” he said with a smile, when asked what kind of captain he would be.

“No matter what I do, in terms of choosing what to do in a situation, it will always be the positive route,” he added.

“I hope that I always try to set the example in terms of attitude and commitment towards what I do.

Even if I am in charge that’s not going to change the way that I go about things, in terms of how I want to influence the game.”