Stokes would love to coach England in future

England were beaten 2-1 by New Zealand and the series defeat followed the 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia, meaning they have not won a Test series since late 2024.

Stokes has rejected suggestions he could reverse his England retirement for the 2027 Ashes and, when asked by former team-mate Jos Buttler whether he had definitely retired, Stokes said: "Definitely".

England have since appointed Root as England Test captain instead of fellow batter Brook.

Brook was promoted to Stokes' vice-captain in the Test side for last winter's Ashes tour.

However, he was involved in an off-field controversy in Wellington when he was struck by a bouncer the night before a white-ball game in New Zealand in November.

Root was given the Test captaincy for the second Test against New Zealand, which Stokes missed, and has now been given the role permanently.

Stokes had backed Brook, who leads the white-ball sides, to succeed him in the role.

"I think just if you think someone's going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them it," said Stokes.

"I understood the reasoning but I was still like, well, what message is that sending to him?

"He's vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he's not captain. What?"

Root's first spell as Test captain was between 2017 and 2022 and he captained England to a record 27 Test wins in 65 matches.

He will work with new England Test coach Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, in the role.

Root stepped down from his first stint as skipper in April 2022, following a 10-wicket defeat by West Indies.

At that time, England had won just one of their past 17 Tests, including a 4-0 Ashes humbling in Australia, while also navigating Covid restrictions - with Root saying the job "took its toll" on his health.

"I wish him [Root] nothing but success. I hope he goes on and achieves amazing things in his role as captain and I think he's going to really enjoy it with Flem [Fleming]. He's a great man," said Stokes.

"I've worked with Flem before but I told Joe, I said my only worry is just you. And that's all I really care about now, just because I have seen what he went through and how much he put himself through for someone.

"He's just always put the team first - he always comes second. And that's just my only concern with it, is just obviously knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team. I don't want to see that ever happen again because I care for Joe a lot, but I wish him all the success in the world.

"I'm sure he's going to do great. So I'm looking forward to seeing what the team does going forward."