Joe Root can't wait to captain England during Ashes series in Australia

New England Test captain Joe Root says he can't wait to lead the side in Australia later this year as they bid to retain the Ashes urn Down Under.

Root was appointed Alastair Cook's successor as leader of the Test side on Monday following the latter's decision to stand aside after a difficult 12 months at the helm.

The 26-year-old had served as Cook's vice-captain for 18 months and was named skipper of the five-day side after talks with director of England cricket Andrew Strauss.

England do not play a Test match until July when they host South Africa before a homeseries against West Indies later in the summer. But the biggest test of Root's early reign will come against the Australians Down Under in the winter.

Asked about leading the side during the Ashes later this year, Root told the BBC: "Absolutely, I can't wait for that and I think that's something that as a side we should be very excited about.

"We've got a team with a great blend of experience, raw talent coming into the squad.

"There's a core group of players that have played 20-30 games, I think it's the right time for them to take a bit of responsibility, become more consistent and make this side a really tough team to beat."

Ben Stokes was another man interviewed for the captaincy but was eventually named deputy to Root.

"We need people to fall in love with it (cricket) again," said Stokes.

"We need to win but we want to perform in a manner that makes people want to come and watch us.

"Every team goes through transition but I hope we can be influential in taking the team forward. Cooky started us on that path, Rooty was part of that as vice-captain and now we can carry that on.

"We have the same direction of where we want to take the team."