Joe Root stops for coffee, questions and selfies in Wolverhampton and Walsall

The 26-year-old Test skipper was in Wolverhampton city centre first to tour the university and share his expertise with students before heading to the Walsall campus for questions and a coaching session.

And the baby-faced Yorkshireman delighted staff at Zuri Coffee when he popped into the Lichfield Street shop before meeting staff and students at the city campus around the corner.

Root was joined by Wolverhampton cycling legend Hugh Porter for an hour-long Q&A in the uni's Millenium City Building and posed for selfies with audience members after answering questions on subjects ranging from inspiring youngsters to Kevin Pietersen.

The top-order batsman then donned a white jacket in university science labs, sat in a Formula 3 racing car and stopped for a chat with a life-sized papier mache sculpture made entirely out of Express & Star newspapers.

Then he headed over to the university's Walsall campus for questions from school students and a tour of the sporting facilities with Wolverhampton gymnast Kristian Thomas.

The visit came about through the university's sponsorship of Sheffield Collegiate Cricket Club – where Root and former England skipper Michael Vaughan began their careers.

Long recognised as one of the best batsmen in international Test cricket, Root this week made the step up from vice-captain to captain of the five-day team after Alastair Cook's resignation.

His reign will begin with home series against South Africa and the West Indies in the summer before England head to Australia to defend the Ashes in November.

• For the full interview with Joe Root see Saturday's Express & Star