Cumbrian cricketer Ben Stokes is aiming to get England supporters to "fall in love" with cricket again after being appointed England vice-captain this week.

After almost five years of Alastair Cook's leadership, England have entered a new era with Yorkshire batsman Joe Root appointed the team's new skipper and former Cockermouth School pupil Stokes promoted to vice-captain.

The pair are two of the side's most entertaining players and are expected to usher in a more aggressive, innovative style of cricket.

Speaking ahead of Root's formal unveiling yesterday, 25-year-old Stokes admitted he wants to play a brand of cricket that will excite crowds.

He said: "We need people to fall in love with it again.

"We need to win but we want to perform in a manner that makes people want to come and watch us.

"Every team goes through transition but I hope we can be influential in taking the team forward.

"Cooky started us on that path, Rooty was part of that as vice-captain and now we can carry that on.

"We have the same direction of where we want to take the team."

Stokes was interviewed by England's director of cricket Andrew Strauss along with Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler.

But the Durham all-rounder was not surprised to see Root get the nod but is looking forward to his own increased responsibility.

"I've always believed that Rooty was going to be captain," said Stokes.

"He's the right person and the best person to do it.

"He's a colleague but also a close mate and I was chuffed to bits for him. I couldn't be more pleased for him.

"The biggest thing is having respect of the people you are in charge of. He has that and respect goes a long way.

"Getting the news that I would be his vice-captain made me ecstatic. It's a real honour, it's England vice-captain, it's supporting Rooty, but it's also the recognition from him and the people at the top of the ECB.

"Everything I do is to win and being vice-captain won't change me as a person or as a player."