Michael Vaughan hopeful England captaincy will inspire Joe Root to greater heights

Michael Vaughan says he is "baffled" by those who have questioned whether Joe Root is ready to captain England.

Root was confirmed as Alastair Cook's successor on Monday, and Vaughan - an Ashes-winning former captain himself - believes his fellow Yorkshireman is ready for the promotion.

He concedes Root will inevitably have to learn on the job but insists that, at 26, it is an opportunity that has come at the right time.

"Joe is ready. No question," Vaughan wrote in his Daily Telegraph column. "I get baffled when people say he is not.

"Will he be a ready-made, perfect captain from day one? Of course not. Who is?

"He has to learn on the job. But most international captains have to do that these days."

Vaughan cites many characteristics which should help the new incumbent: "In terms of clout, he has everything you require to be captain.

"What more do you need? He is a good man. He is driven. He is always trying to improve. He never settles with what he has got."

Vaughan recalls the responsibility as captain compromised his own output as a batsman, but he hopes Root will react differently and instead follow the trend set by Kohli - who has become an ever more prolific runscorer while his India team have moved to the top of the Test rankings.

"Joe's biggest challenge will be how captaincy affects his batting," Vaughan said.

"It affected mine ... (but) to be honest, I think he will be different to me. He is more likely to become Kohli and move his batting on to another level with the responsibility of captaincy."

Vaughan, who references the forensic leadership styles of high-profile football managers Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola as comparisons to what he expects from Root, anticipates an adventurous approach too from England's new captain.

"The tactical side of the job is an unknown," he said.

"But Joe will think outside the box. He will be a guy who tries to be proactive out in the middle and out-think the batsman who is performing against his side.

"I look at Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. They are always trying to tinker and improve. The best leaders can't sleep. They are on the ball 24/7. Joe will be that style of leader."