Why England turned to Joe Root to replace Ben Stokes as interim England Test captain.

England have described the preparations for the second Test as “temporary”, and it seems important that it doesn’t last.

On Monday, when it was first revealed that Stokes and Gus Atkinson were in hot water, there was an immediate sense that Stokes’ captaincy would be over.

It might still be. There is an ongoing investigation. Stocks may decide to walk.

However, with each passing hour, the temperature is cooling. Stokes could return for the third Test at Trent Bridge or perhaps the series against Pakistan in the summer.

Once again, Stokes provided a window into what England’s life would have been like without him. For the first time in his career, Stokes is not necessarily a cricketer. Earlier this week, head coach Brendon McCullum had to defend his batting and get Stokes back on track.

Even with Brook in charge, England may have seen something to their liking. Brooke and McCullum looked more in tune during the T20 World Cup than Stokes and McCullum did during the Ashes.

Brook captained his peers, while Stokes led a group of young men, many of whom worshiped him. Perhaps England would have found a Stokes-less formation that would have made them stronger: Rehan Ahmed’s leg-spinner as an all-rounder, followed by four specialist imports.

Any of these will be a problem with Root’s responsibility. When the time comes, he will be very happy to hand over the power.

These roles are sometimes reversed. In the year In the Covid winter of 2021, Stokes entered for a Test while Root was on paternity leave. Root left a note on Stokes’ peg in the dressing room saying “Do it your way”.

Now Root does it his own way. Clapping his hands from first slip, long runs to talk to the bowlers. A smile on his face, perhaps a classic Russian century. Not an alpha chest like Stokes, he’s a calm assurance of English cricket’s most reliable presence.

Once again, Joe Root is riding to England’s rescue.