Vice-captaincy reward for Ben Stokes' maturity over last 18 months, says Ashley Giles

The Durham allrounder was reappointed as second in command as part of the England's squad announcement for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston

Ashley Giles believes that Ben Stokes being reappointed vice-captain of England's Test side is a testament to the allrounder's conduct in the last 18 months.

England's World Cup final hero was reinstated as second in command to Joe Root when the squad for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston was announced on Friday.

Stokes has replaced wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler in the role for the first time since September 2017, when the former was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub.

However, England men's cricket managing director Giles maintains that Stokes has developed as a person since then and his re-appointment to the role is no less than he deserves.

^{Ben Stokes has replaced Jos Buttler in the role}

"Ben is highly respected within the team environment," Giles said.

"He is a natural leader and has a great understanding of the game. He will offer tremendous support to Joe Root as part of the senior playing group. 

"Over the past 18 months, he has come a long way and has shown a great degree of maturity on and off the field.

"I have no doubts that the added responsibility will also help him to continue his rise as a world class all-rounder in the Test arena."

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