Michael Vaughan says Joe Root should be made England skipper in time for 2017 Ashes series

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that Joe Root should be given a chance to establish his credentials as captain before next year's Ashes series against Australia. With Alastair Cook unsure on how long he will continue as the leader, Vaughan feels that Root should be given enough time in the hot seat before the Three Lions play their arch-rivals.

Cook has hinted that his time as England's Test captain could be coming to an end, though he did not specify when, claiming it could be in "two months or it could be a year." The opener, who during the first Test against India led his country for the 55<sup>th time, breaking Michael Atherton's record of 54 Tests as skipper, confirmed that he would still like to continue playing for his country as a batsman.

"Alastair has had this question thrown at him for the last seven series now and two years ago I had thought he had gone but he keeps springing back up. What I would say is that I have played with many captains who could not cope with being in the team and having someone else to direct them but I can't think of a better person being a father figure to Root in the corner, standing at first slip and giving the new captain advice. He would be a perfect foil for a new leader", said Vaughan as quoted by Express.

"But the longer Joe Root could have if he is going to be captain in the Ashes next year would absolutely be beneficial for obvious reasons. Everything that comes around with it, whether it is pressure from the play or everything in the media, it is just magnified probably five to 10 times more than any other series. You don't want to have someone going into an Ashes series that is not ready for everything that comes with it."

The next Ashes series is scheduled to be held in Australia between November 2017 and January 2018.