Ashes 2017-18: James Anderson to be England vice-captain

Anderson has 506 Test wickets for England

England's all-time leading wicket taker James Anderson will be the team's vice-captain for the Ashes series against Australia in the absence of Ben Stokes.

Stokes is awaiting the outcome of a police investigation into a fight outside a nightclub in September.

Anderson, 35, who has 506 Test wickets, is the preferred understudy to captain Joe Root ahead of fellow bowler Stuart Broad and ex-skipper Alastair Cook.

"It's a proud thing but it doesn't really change my role," said Anderson.

"As a senior player - and that also includes Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook, and others who have travelled to Australia before to play in Ashes series, we've got a big job to try and help the team.

"Throughout the summer I tried to help Joe on the field and it does add responsibility but it won't change things a great deal."

• Pomnishambles: The inside story of England's 5-0 defeat in 2013-14

• Pick your all-time Ashes XI

• McGrath predicts Aussie Ashes whitewash... again

• Starc makes history with second hat-trick