Ian Bell insists Alastair Cook and Joe Root have his full support

Ian Bell is disappointed to have lost out on the Test vice-captaincy to rising star Joe Root but admits the 24-year-old is “the captain of the future.”

Root was handed the vice-captaincy by Andrew Strauss on Tuesday, with England’s new director of cricket suggesting the middle-order batsman must take more of a leadership position within the team.

Strauss made it clear the decision was in no way a reflection on the job Bell did as understudy to skipper Alastair Cook and Bell insists both Cook and Root have his full support going forward.

Part of me understands we've also got to look forward now and Joe Root is the England captain of the future, there’s no doubt about that.

“I had a good conversation with Strauss about that (decision),” Bell said.  “I said I was disappointed. I have obviously enjoyed the two series I have done and have grown as a person.

“I have enjoyed that responsibility and I understand that doesn’t change whether I’ve got that (role) or not. I still have to keep giving and I’ve played enough to do that anyway.

“Part of me understands we’ve also got to look forward now and Joe Root is the England captain of the future, there’s no doubt about that.

“It’s good for him and good for the team to start looking at potential and getting involved in potential things this team does.

“We don’t know when he will take over but he is the captain of the future. It’s a good decision I can see it.

“Would I want to do it? Yes. But I can understand both sides of it and I will support Rooty and Cooky all the way through the summer, like I would anyway."