Joe Root: England's returning Test captain says Bazball blueprint won't be ripped up ahead of Pakistan series

Returning England Test skipper Joe Root says he feels "as ready as any other England captain", adding he has no plans on "ripping up" the Bazball blueprint that preceded his second stint in charge.

Root has captained England on a record 65 occasions, his first permanent spell from 2017 to 2022 ending with a run of just one win in 17 Tests before Ben Stokes took over in step with head coach Brendon McCullum.

But, after an impressive first couple of years to the Bazball era, the 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand earlier this summer saw Stokes retire from international cricket during the final Test and subsequently prompted McCullum's removal as red-ball head coach.

"I don't think there's a huge amount we need to change. It's small things that will make a big difference," Root said ahead of the three-Test series against Pakistan, which starts on Wednesday at Headingley - live on Sky Sports Cricket, from 10am (first ball 11am).

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"It's not about ripping it up, I think it's about keeping a lot of the good stuff we've been doing for a period of time, stuff that Ben and Baz built for a long while.

"I don't believe there is one way of playing Test cricket. You've got to be adaptable and play the situation. It's never the same throughout five days, there's different challenges and you've got to adjust to the ebbs and flows throughout."

As for his own readiness to return to the captaincy, the 35-year-old made it clear he was fully prepared to embrace the challenge one more time.

"The landscape is different," he said. "I'm a different player and person than I was when I [first] took over as captain.

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"I'm in a very fortunate, unique position where I've got 60-odd games of experience to look back on. There are things I might want to change and do slightly differently.

"I had time to step away, play in a different environment, under a different coach, different captain, and see the game from a different lens.

"In many ways I feel as ready as any other England captain that's been before; to have that amount of experience is invaluable."

He added: "I'm really excited. And to get the chance to start at Headingley as well is always nice, my home ground.

"It's a very talented group of players that are very capable of special things. I'm really excited about where we can take this team."

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'Hugely supportive' Brook to remain vice-captain

White-ball skipper Harry Brook, despite serving as Test vice-captain, was overlooked in favour of Root to lead England in Stokes' absence for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, as well as for the permanent job upon his international retirement.

Root confirmed Brook will continue in the role as No 2 in the Test team and insisted the pair's bond remains strong.

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"Our relationship is exactly as it has been for a long time," he said. "Me and Harry are very good friends and get along well away from cricket, and clearly get the best out of each other when playing together.

"He's been hugely supportive. I fully feel like he's got my back, as the rest of the guys do. He's going to be invaluable.

"He's done some brilliant things already within the white-ball space. He's a brilliant leader within the group and the fact he's not captain, that shouldn't be taken away from him."

As for life without Stokes, Root added: "It's a big void to fill. He's someone who has been ever present for the best part of 15 years.

"It's been different, but we've only been together as a full team for a day and a half."

And quizzed on whether he could yet return to the side, with a home Ashes series on the horizon in 2027, Root said: "Who knows? That's a question for Ben.

"We need to look after the here and now, and that's this series."

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Pakistan captain Babar injured for Headingley

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the series opener against England due to a finger injury, with Salman Ali Agha taking temporary charge at Headingley.

Babar was initially struck on the right hand when facing the West Indies earlier this month, before he then received another blow from England Under-19 seamer Manny Lumsden in a tour match at Beckenham last week. He retired hurt in what was described at the time as a "precautionary measure".

The tourists were keen to give him time to recover but, while he has been cleared of a broken middle finger, he has not been cleared to lead his side at Headingley despite working through a brief net session.

"Babar Azam is not available, Salman will be captain," head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday.

"It's not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger. Hopefully he will be available for the second Test match."

Babar's absence robs Pakistan not only of their leader but one of their most talented batters, with nine Test hundreds to his name and a Test average of 43.68. Saud Shakeel is expected to be drafted into the XI after sitting out the West Indies series.

'Relaxed Root looks up for the challenge'

Sky Sports News reporter James Cole:

"It's old shoes for Joe Root; he's got all the experience behind him and he seemed relaxed.

"He is, it's fair to say, inheriting a big rebuilding job. England have lost seven of their last 10 Tests, they've lost their head coach Brendon McCullum and their captain Ben Stokes, who had been such a mainstay of the Test team for so long and led such a unique, attacking brand of cricket called Bazball.

"As well as losing Stokes from the middle order, who was the glue and provided balance between the batting and bowling, they've got an opener Emilio Gay who has played just three Test and who is out of nick at the moment, and a rookie at number three in Jordan Cox, who has only batted there once before.

"In place of the talismanic Stokes, Dan Lawrence comes back in and offers a spinning all-rounder option, but he hasn't played a Test in two years.

"It's fair to say Root has got a lot on his hands, but he's up for the challenge."

Watch day one of the first Test between England and Pakistan, at Headingley, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am on Wednesday (11am first ball). Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.

England vs Pakistan Test series fixtures

• First Test (Headingley) - Wednesday August 19 - Sunday August 23 (first ball 11am)
• Second Test (Lord's) - Thursday August 27 - Monday August 31 (first ball 11am)
• Third Test (Edgbaston) - Wednesday September 9 - Sunday September 13 (first ball 11am)