• Captain moves up as part of revamped lineup against Pakistan • Tom Westley stars for Essex against Middlesex in one-day cup

Joe Root feels ready to make a success of England’s troublesome No 3 position after a year spent adjusting to the demands of being both Test captain and premier batsman.

Trevor Bayliss has long argued for it to be the Yorkshireman’s ideal berth but while the England coach had his way for the bulk of 2016 – a career-best 254 against Pakistan resulted – Root’s replacing of Alastair Cook as captain last year prompted a move back down to No 4.

After a chastening winter that brought series defeats to Australia and New Zealand, and with Ed Smith bringing fresh ideas as the new national selector, Root returns to first drop in place of James Vince as part of revamped batting order to face Pakistan at Lord’s next Thursday.

Toss could be axed for Ashes series to reduce home advantage Read more

“It’s an opportunity for me to take on a bit more responsibility,” Root said. “I’ve had a year in the captaincy now and I feel I’ve gained enough experience to feel comfortable doing that.

“For me it was getting used to the captaincy and making sure I could separate the two; that my full focus was on my batting when it came around. Ultimately nothing will change the way I go about my batting. I will look to have that hunger and desire to make really big runs.”

Smith stressed it was Root who pushed for the promotion, with the reshuffle chiefly about getting Jonny Bairstow up to No 5 while still retaining the gloves. Jos Buttler, fresh from a marauding time in the Indian Premier League slots in as a specialist batsman at No 7 some eight months since his last first-class outing for Lancashire.

Root, speaking at the launch of England’s latest New Balance kit, said: “It is really important Jos does not put too much pressure on himself. It is about expressing himself and finding consistency. It is exciting but it might take a bit of time to come right. If he bats for any period of time, especially the way he’s played recently, it’s going to be very exciting.”

The Spin: sign up and get our weekly cricket email.

The second of the two-match series with Pakistan will coincide with Virat Kohli’s arrival for a month-long spell at Surrey. It includes three championship matches against the red Dukes ball for the India captain before his side take on England over five Tests.

Root’s verdict? “He’s got to play against Yorkshire at Scarborough so that might get him out of nick. Steve Patterson might nibble him out a couple of times.”

In the Royal London Cup, Tom Westley gave a reminder of his ability to the England selectors in Essex’s six-wicket win over Middlesex at Radlett. Westley, who won five Test caps last summer before being omitted for the winter tours, hit 134 and shared a second-wicket partnership of 153 with Varun Chopra as last year’s semi-finalists won with 7.2 overs to spare.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tom Westley hit 134 for Essex against Middlesex at Radlett. Photograph: TGSPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

Sussex were also comfortable Group B winners with a seven-wicket victory over Kent at Hove. Luke Wells produced a man-of-the-match show as his leg spin helped dismiss Kent for 188, opener Daniel Bell-Drummond the last out for 90 from 115 balls. Wells took two for 30 and then anchored Sussex’s response with 62 from 89 balls.

Derbyshire proved too strong for Group A rivals Warwickshire with a 57-run victory at Edgbaston. Captain Billy Godleman hit a career-best 137 from 116 balls as Derbyshire hit 357 for eight.

Sam Hain struck a classy 108 in response - his sixth list A century in only 30 games - but he received little support other than an unbeaten 48 from Keith Barker.

Leicestershire eased home by 72 runs at Northamptonshire after Paul Horton’s 103 in 126 balls guided them to a challenging 265 for seven.

Northants have been badly short of runs so far this season and Gavin Griffiths (4-30) and Ben Raine (3-31) did the damage as the home side slumped to 124 for eight. Only late resistance from Graeme White and Brett Hutton, sharing 64 for the ninth wicket, avoided a complete humiliation before the hosts were dismissed for 193 in 38.2 overs.