Ben Stokes' bombshell retirement from international cricket has left England without a captain heading into their Test series against Pakistan.
The mercurial all-rounder called time on his England career midway through his side's third and deciding Test match with New Zealand at Trent Bridge, leaving his teammates in a state of shock when he informed them of his decision before play on day four.
It leaves the Test outfit in somewhat of a state of chaos with no clear choice to succeed Stokes as skipper.
We take a look at the odds for who will lead England in the first Test against Pakistan in August...
After receiving an endorsement from the outgoing skipper, Harry Brook is amongst the most obvious contenders to takeover.
The 27-year-old is the current vice-captain of the side, however, he was not chosen to lead the team when Stokes was absent for the second Test against New Zealand.
Both Stokes and Gus Atkinson missed out at the Oval whilst under investigation for what the ECB described as a "breach of team protocols" that followed England's victory over the BlackCaps at Lord's.
Protocols that were only in place because of Brook's misdemeanors during last year's white-ball tour of New Zealand prior to the Ashes.
Instead, in trying to avoid an awkward line of questioning relating to a Brook appointment, Joe Root was handed the reins on a temporary basis. Root was England captain prior to Stokes, leading the team for five years between 2017 & 2022.
Unfortunately, the responsibilities appeared to weigh heavy on the Yorkshireman. Not only did his own personal form with the bat take a dip, England managed to win just once during Root's final 17 matches in charge.
England may opt to give Root the job on a temporary basis for just the Pakistan series but it's hard to envisage him taking on the job on a full-time basis again.
Any appointment outside of Brook and Root would come from left field but maybe that's what England need in this transitional period.
Jacob Bethell is one potential avenue for England to explore. Although he is very much in the infancy of his international career, he is quite clearly highly thought of and was made England's youngest-ever captain when the white-ball side toured Ireland in 2025.
Sussex skipper Ollie Robinson is also in the market after taking to his new role quite well with his county while opening batter Ben Duckett is one of the most established names in the team and is completely assured of his position in the side.
Who will captain England in 1st Pakistan Test?
(Odds will display when market is available)
