Joe Root and Marcus Trescothick could be England 's captain and coach on an interim basis for their Test series against Pakistan next month, though the ECB are yet to take a final decision on either position. Richard Gould, the ECB's chief executive, said when Brendon McCullum was removed from his role as Test coach that the vacancy would "ideally" be filled before the first Pakistan Test on August 19, but left open the possibility that an interim coach could fill the role. The Athletic reported on Friday that Root is set to be named Test captain through to the 2027 Ashes and while the ECB insist no decision has yet been made, he is the favourite to lead in the first Pakistan Test at this stage. Ben Stokes endorsed Harry Brook as Test captain before retiring • PA Photos/Getty ImagesRoot, 35, was England's full-time Test captain from 2017-22. Alternative solutions could include appointing Brook captain across formats through to next summer's Ashes; making Brook Test captain while giving another player the role in one or both of the limited-overs formats; or gambling on an inexperienced option such as Jacob Bethell (who is currently injured ) as Test captain, with Brook retained in the white-ball roles.