Ben Stokes pays glowing tribute to outgoing England Test skipper Joe Root

Champion England all-rounder and Test vice-captain Ben Stokes has paid glowing tribute to his teammate Joe Root, who resigned from Test captaincy on Friday (April 15).

Root, who took over the leadership duties of the Test team from Alastair Cook back in 2017, announced his decision to step away from the leadership role on Friday in the wake of the recent 0-4 drubbing in Australia and a chastening 0-1 defeat in the Caribbean.

An official statement released by the Yorkshire cricketer read: "After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England's men's Test captain." 

"It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me, I know the timing is right," he added.

Following Root's decision, former and current cricketers have taken to their social media accounts to pay tribute to the talismanic cricketer.

Stokes, who served as deputy to Root and someone who is being pipped as his successor, paid a heartwarming tribute on social media, stating that it was a 'privilege' for him to see one of his 'great mates' lead the country.

Stokes wrote: "Been a great ride with you, my friend. Watching one of my great mates lead us all out onto the field was a privilege. You have given everything to English cricket, and we all want to say thank you for your sacrifices and hard work. #legend @root66"

Root captained England in a record 64 Tests, winning 27 and losing 26, while 11 ended in a draw.

The high points of his tenure include home and away series wins in South Africa; back-to-back series wins in Sri Lanka and a 4-1 win against India at home in 2018.

The low points of his captaincy were two back-to-back Ashes drubbings in Australia, a 1-3 thumping in India, consecutive series defeats in New Zealand and West Indies, and home series defeats to the Kiwis and India, not to forget a drawn Ashes at home in 2019.

The last 12 months of Root's captaincy proved to be disastrous as England lost 11 out of 17 Tests, winning just one.

It will be interesting to see who will succeed Root as the Test skipper.