I WISH I'D RAMPED IT UP SOONER

Root hails the way Stokes has taken England to new level

- Dean Wilson

THREE days after tasting Ashes defeat in Birmingham, Joe Root believes he has only one regret - and it has nothing to do with his reverse scoop.

England's finest batter and former skipper simply wishes that he had tried to be as bold as Ben Stokes when he was captain.

Root might have won more Test matches as skipper than any other Englishman, but he also lost more, too, and was the man in charge as the team suffered their run of one win in 17 matches.

Now that he is back in the ranks and flourishing even more as a batter, Root is convinced that Stokes' method of leadership alongside Brendon McCullum, far right, the is blueprint for the job and there will be more success to come as a result.

"If I could go back in time, I'd go and back my start captaincy tenure way Ben has the and try to play in a similar manner to how he does it," said Root.

"It's far more exciting, far more interesting and we are getting more out of our team and our individuals.