ENGLAND have appointed Joe Root as their new Test captain.

Yorkshire batsman Root succeeds Alastair Cook, who resigned last week after a record 59-match tenure.

The England and Wales Cricket Board canvassed the opinion of several senior players before confirming the 26-year-old had been handed the job on Monday morning.

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes will be Root's vice-captain, the ECB announced.

Root, who had been Cook's vice-captain since May last year, will have five months to prepare for his first Test in charge - against South Africa at Lord's on July 6.

"It is a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy," he said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement which confirmed his appointment on Monday morning.

"I feel privileged, humbled and very excited."

All-rounder Ben Stokes will be Root's vice-captain, as England seek to establish a new leadership era on the pitch not just against South Africa and West Indies in the forthcoming summer but in time to face Australia in next winter's Ashes.

England's record Test run scorer Cook is expected to remain at the top of the order for the foreseeable future.

Root, who averages almost 53 in his 53 Tests to date, will therefore have no shortage of advisers to turn to on and off the pitch - including experienced pace pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and coaches Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace.

He added: "We have a very good group of players, and I'm looking forward to leading them out in the summer - building on Alastair's achievements and making the most of our talents in the years ahead.

"The senior guys in the changing room play a very influential role - and while there's a natural progression for me, it's a huge support to know that they are there to help and advise."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire welcomed Root's appointment. 

“I’m sure I join the entire county in sending our huge congratulations to Joe Root on becoming the new England Test captain, following in the footsteps of his Sheffield Collegiate and Yorkshire County Cricket Club mentor Michael Vaughan," he said. 

"We’re delighted to see another Yorkshireman leading the England cricket team and, like us, continue to fly the flag for Yorkshire right across the world.

"Yorkshire is producing some of the best sporting stars in the world right now and I couldn’t be prouder of the county’s achievements.”