JOE Root and Gary Ballance have already spoken about swapping notes as they prepare to take the reins in two of English cricket's most prized roles.

The two former flatmates have this winter been announced as captains of England and Yorkshire respectively.

Neither man has masses of captaincy experience behind them, meaning they may need the odd bit of advice here and there.

And Ballance has revealed how each man offered the other a helping hand if it were needed during their respective congratulatory conversations.

"Captaining your country is obviously very different, but we are in the same boat," said Ballance.

"We can help each other. I can learn from him and his experiences and, if he ever needs me, I can try and help him out.

"I'm not sure how much he'll need me, though.

"We're obviously very good mates, and straightaway I gave him a ring and had a chat, congratulated him. He's said to me if I need any advice, he's always there. I said that to him as well.

"It's good to know one of my best mates is there if I need, but he'll be very busy and I've got lots of people here at Yorkshire who are very experienced and have been there and done it, so I can lean on them if needed."

Needless to say, Root's appointment was of no surprise to Ballance, who at 27 is almost a year older.

They know each other well, having shared a flat for a year during the early stages of their White Rose careers.

"Ever since I've played with him, Rooty's kind of had that captaincy mentality. He thinks deeply about the game, he loves it," said Ballance.

"He's got such a good cricketing brain, I think he'll just naturally step into the role, and he'll learn quickly as he goes along.

"He's also got a lot of senior players such as Cook, Anderson, Broad – guys who've been around for such a long time – to help him out.

"It's a great honour for both of us, especially him.

"It's very well deserved. People say he's young, but in cricketing terms he's very experienced. I think he's going to do a great job."