Stokes has not played since July, having taken a break to protect his mental wellbeing while he also recovered from a broken finger.
The England vice-captain underwent a second operation on his finger but recently posted footage of himself batting and bowling in the nets.
Stokes was initially omitted from the squad for the tour of Australia, but the England and Wales Cricket Board on Monday announced that he has been added to the squad.
Australia batsman Smith has welcomed the news that Stokes will be involved, with the Ashes getting under way at The Gabba on December 8.
"I think any team's more dangerous when you've got someone like Ben Stokes playing," Smith said.
"It certainly adds a lot to their depth, but like I said we're excited and I'm glad personally that he's able to be back playing some cricket. It makes for a really good series."
Smith has been troubled by an elbow injury, but the former Australia captain does not expect it to be an issue when Tim Paine's side attempt to retain the urn.
Quoted in the Australian press on Tuesday, Smith said: "I've tried to bat every second day, or not bat three days in a row, just to take a bit of load off. On the days I'm batting, I'm batting for as long as I want to, which is nice.
"I'm still taking it easy at the moment. I'll build up again as we get closer to playing some longer format stuff. It is in a good place, it feels really good. I'm continuing with my strength work and my rehab stuff – I feel like I'm going well and progressing along nicely, so I've got no real concerns [for the Ashes]."
Since Stokes was named captain and Brendon McCullum head coach, England have won four consecutive Tests in thrilling fashion.
Across a 3-0 series whitewash of New Zealand and the delayed fifth Test against India, in which they secured a series draw, England chased down scores of more than 275 runs in every match.
Stokes' side were ultimately dominant against India, winning by seven wickets despite requiring 378 in the fourth innings – the highest target they have ever successfully pursued.
An unbroken partnership of 269 between Joe Root (142 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (114 no) completed the job, with the pair scaling new heights.
Root now has 11 Test centuries since the start of 2021 and continues to improve, "which I thought was impossible", Stokes said, referring to his former skipper as "a freak".
But the exciting 'Bazball' tactics of the past month have not been restricted to just those two players, with Stokes confirming Stuart Broad had been padded up on day four to go in as a "nighthawk", rather than a nightwatchman.
His aim? "Thirty off 10 or nought off one."
And Stokes also saw evidence of the future of Test cricket in the India batting line-up, as Pant scored 146 off 111 in the first innings. His wicket, the England captain said, was every bit as key as the Root-Bairstow partnership.
"He is someone who would fit very well in our team at the moment, Rishabh, the way that he goes about to play the game," Stokes said.
"That wicket was huge for us because we know what he can do. We know how he likes to play the game, and he could really have taken it away from us in real quick time."
Later, discussing the "legacy" he and McCullum hope to forge, Stokes again turned his focus to Pant's performance.
"Rishabh Pant's innings for India in the first innings was obviously against us, but I absolutely loved watching it," he said. "Being on the receiving end of something like that is just is incredible to watch.
"And it's great to see now that someone like Rishabh, who's obviously received his criticism over the years, is now getting applauded for that.
"The more we see players like that succeed in the way that they want to do, I think the negativity around that type of way of Test cricket will eventually die out, because it's so exciting to watch.
"Cricket is an entertainment business at the end of the day. Yes, you want results and stuff like that, but you want people to enjoy watching a spectacle.
"Test cricket has always been a spectacle, but it's about doing it differently now. So cheers, Rishabh."
Neil Wagner took four wickets, including the final scalp of James Anderson, as England were bowled for 256 requiring 258 for victory.
It meant the series finished tied at 1-1, while New Zealand became only the fourth team to win a Test having been forced to follow-on.
"It is disappointing to not win, but we look at the bigger picture," England captain Stokes told BT Sport.
"What everyone has enjoyed here today is probably bigger than any disappointment at the moment.
"Being in that situation in the last half an hour, it is everything you wish for.
"And even though we came out on the wrong side of it, you can't help but feel blessed that we managed to be a part of an incredible game like that."
England declared with two wickets remaining in their first innings and asked New Zealand to bat again after knocking the Black Caps over for 209.
But instead of going back to the crease to give New Zealand something to chase, Stokes opted to have the hosts bat again – a decision he would not change.
"Imagine captaining in hindsight? That's not something I would ever do," he said.
"It was always our game to lose once we had enforced the follow-on. The logic was our bowlers had ripped through their top order three innings in a row and we knew New Zealand had to play pretty much the perfect game to put us in a situation like this.
"Batting in the last innings chasing 250 is not something we were worried about, but you have to give huge credit to New Zealand not just for the way they batted in their second innings but the way they bowled and managed to get early wickets with not too many runs on the board.
"Other teams are allowed to pay better than us and New Zealand played better than us this week."
Stokes said Anderson's reaction to being the final wicket, where he walked off smiling, summed up the feeling of everyone playing in the Test match.
"I didn't know how Jimmy would react when he walked off," Stokes added.
"He's been in those positions before where he's walked off disappointed, but the fact he was walking off smiling made everything we talk and speak about true and a reality."
Joe Root's side get their campaign started on December 8 in Brisbane and will be boosted by the return of their star all-rounder Stokes.
The 30-year-old has not played competitively since July and was initially omitted from England's squad as he recovered from a second operation on a broken finger and took a break to protect his mental wellbeing.
But Stokes was subsequently added to the travelling party in October as he assured he was ready to make a comeback for the tour and first Test at The Gabba.
Stokes, who averages 38.37 against Australia, offered England a scare when he took a blow to the forearm in a net session last week before Root confirmed the Durham man was fit.
With just a week to go before the two old foes do battle once more, Stokes is relishing the opportunity to take on Justin Langer's side.
"Don't call it a comeback," Stokes posted on Instagram alongside a video of him training with bat and ball on Wednesday.
"Spent some time testing out the finger with [Adidas] last month.
"Two months ago, I couldn't hold a bat. With one week to go till the first Test, I'm fit and hungry for a big series Down Under!"
Stokes followed up his knock of 176 in the first innings with an unbeaten 78 that allowed England to set up the opportunity to push for victory on the final day, as he added quick runs on the fifth morning.
The all-rounder then picked up two wickets - including crucially ending Jermaine Blackwood's resistance on 55 - as West Indies, chasing an unlikely 312 for victory, were bowled out for 198.
Root acknowledged match-winning contributions are becoming a common occurrence from his vice-captain, telling Sky Sports after the triumph at Old Trafford: "It doesn't surprise me.
"You watch how Ben goes about his business in practice whether it be practice, fitness or anything, he leads the way in many respects.
"He seems to want to keep getting better and better and we're seeing those results out on the field as well.
"It's great for a lot of the younger guys to see that, you've got to put the hard yards in, he certainly does that and we're starting to see that feed into the rest of the team, which is a great place to be."
Broad had boosted the home team's hopes on the final morning of the second Test with three top-order wickets, having also previously produced a devastating new-ball burst in West Indies' first innings.
The seamer was a surprise omission from England's line-up for the opening Test in Southampton - a game West Indies won by four wickets - but, asked to lead a new-look pace attack, he seized his opportunity in Manchester.
Broad had spoken publicly about his disappointment at missing out at the Rose Bowl, with Root not surprised to see him go out and back up his words on the field.
"You always expect that from Stuart. Generally, when he says something, he goes out there and produces a performance to back it up," Root said.
"He's led the attack brilliantly this week and, as we've always said, you feel like he's got a lot of cricket left to play in him.
"Once he gets that ball in his hand, there's always that spell in him that can turn a game. He did that this week."
Stokes cut short his 15th over in West Indies' second innings due to an apparent fitness issue but insisted afterwards he was fine. The series finale starts on Friday at the same venue.
"The body just started to get quite stiff," he said to Sky Sports after being named player of the match. "I said to Broady, 'My body is starting to get quite stiff, what do you reckon?' and he just said to stop.
"I remember three or four years ago against Pakistan I had the same thing and ended up blowing my calf, so I didn't want to take that risk."
England's preparation for the three-match home series was thrown into chaos last week when Eoin Morgan's first-choice squad were forced into isolation due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Stokes had missed England's series with Sri Lanka due to a finger injury, but he returned to captain a new-look group.
It could hardly have gone better for England who, on the eve of the second anniversary of their World Cup triumph, mounted a record run chase in an ODI at Edgbaston to seal a 3-0 series victory on Tuesday.
Vince hit his first century in the format, a sparkling 102, while Lewis Gregory's 77 also helped England get over the line. Brydon Carse, who took a five-wicket haul, rounded off the win with a boundary down the ground.
While lauding the work of Morgan behind the scenes, Stokes praised the performances of England's second string, which proves the strength in depth at the world champions' disposal.
"Not just today, throughout the series, all the efforts of the guys have been fantastic," Stokes said in the post-match presentation.
"I keep reverting back to where we were last week, just got to give a massive thanks to all the players, all the coaches, support staff for still making this happen. It's been a tough week for everyone involved but we've managed to pull through – to put in performances like that is fantastic.
"A huge amount of credit has got to go to Eoin and Chris Silverwood for allowing the new guys to come in and go out and play in that manner, go out and impress which is what they asked them to do at the start of the series.
"Nobody has taken a backwards step, so so much credit has got to go to Eoin and the way he's built the team.
"This is the culture that Eoin and me try to create, allowing guys to go out there and play fearless cricket, even at the top of the order, Phil Salt has come in and given us that dynamic, so the most pleasing thing to me is nobody has been affected by the situation or the occasion, they've just gone out there, enjoyed themselves and had a great experience.
"It's the best place to be in. To have so many good players coming through, everybody has seriously put their hands up and got a few guys looking over their shoulders. Just seriously impressed with everyone throughout the series."
While Vince took his chance with the bat, Saqib Mahmood returned to England's set-up to star with the ball, with his nine wickets across the three ODIs seeing him named as player of the series.
"A pretty special week, to be able to repay that faith and perform the way I have, I'm really happy," Saqib said.
"I'll just take it as it comes, this time last week I was waiting to play for Lancashire, before you know it you're in an England shirt again, so I'll just take it as it comes."
England will name their squad for the upcoming Twenty20 series against Pakistan on Wednesday.
The Durham all-rounder was omitted from the original selection as he continued his recovery from a second operation on a broken finger.
Stokes, who sustained the injury while playing in the Indian Premier League in April, announced in July he was taking a break from cricket to protect his mental wellbeing and allow his finger to recover.
Having been given the all-clear by the medical team of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the 30-year-old will depart for Australia with the Test and Lions squad on November 4.
"I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted," Stokes said.
"I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I'm ready for Australia."
Ashley Giles, managing director of England Men's Cricket, said: "Following a very successful operation on his finger and several conversations over the last few weeks between Ben and I, our medical staff and his management team, Ben called me to say he was ready to return to cricket and was excited about the prospect of playing a significant role in the Ashes series.
"Time and time again, Ben has demonstrated how important he is to the England team and having him available for the Ashes series is excellent news for all of us and, in particular, [coach] Chris [Silverwood], Joe [Root] and the rest of the players.
"Having not played for some time, we will move forward cautiously over the next few weeks to ensure he is fully prepared across all facets of his game.
"Ahead of a very busy period of cricket, we continue to remain mindful of the stresses on all our personnel, and our primary focus continues to be the wellbeing of all of our players and support staff."
The Ashes begins at The Gabba on December 8 and concludes a month later at Optus Stadium in Perth.
England are looking to regain the urn after it was retained by Australia following a 2-2 series draw in 2019.
Stokes has produced a string of excellent displays for his country across multiple formats, cementing his place among the sport's elite stars.
Having helped England to victory at the Cricket World Cup on home soil last year, he was the hosts' standout performer in the Ashes, scoring 441 runs.
Bess, who made his international bow at Test level in 2018, is a firm admirer of the swashbuckling all-rounder, citing Stokes' work ethic and willingness to lead by example as key.
"I've watched him train, not just him but [all] the senior boys, how they train, how they go about things, is a different level," he told Stats Pefrorm.
"For me and the youngsters it's amazing to see because we now see how the best in the world do it.
"To see how he [Stokes] goes about it is freakish. He always works hard but the big thing as well is he's very much a team man. I think that rubs off really well on other blokes.
"And then to have that consistency, when people aren't watching, you're doing it genuinely for your side and helping people out, it's a little thing but it goes a long way
"If you watched him for three, four training sessions you'd see how consistent he is and that's something I really look up to.
"The things he's done in training, his confidence, his belief, then actually how he goes about it and performs is phenomenal.
"It's never about himself, it's always about the side, which is crucial as well."
Stokes was named the leading cricketer in the world by Wisden last month.
The hosts, 1-0 down following the opening game of the three-match rubber in Southampton, needed quick runs in order to set a substantial target with enough time to bowl the Windies out, and star all-rounder Stokes duly obliged in a stunning assault.
When the declaration came at 129-3, Stokes – promoted to open – had bludgeoned an unbeaten 78 from 57 deliveries to stand alongside his mammoth first-innings 176.
It meant the tourists required 312 for victory, a target that soon became nominal after Broad (3-42) ripped through their top order.
Shamarh Brooks (62) and Jermaine Blackwood (55) struck stylish knocks in a 100-run stand for the fifth wicket, but the irrepressible Stokes (2-30) bounced out the latter, setting up the England attack for a relentless push towards victory after tea.
It completed a 3-0 series win for the tourists, the first time Pakistan have ever lost every match of a home Test series.
Starting Tuesday needing another 55 runs to chase down the overall target of 167 in Karachi with eight wickets remaining, Stokes and Duckett made a careful start initially, with just one boundary coming in the first four overs.
Back-to-back fours from Duckett off the bowling of Abrar Ahmed were followed by more steady batting from the pair, before Duckett hit the winning runs off Mohammad Wasim with another four to finish on 82 not out.
After securing what was England's ninth win in 10 Test matches since he and Brendon McCullum took the reins, Stokes – who ended unbeaten on 35 – described his team's performances as "perfect", adding: "We've got a process we want to play but the challenge was the different pitches for every Test.
"We stuck to our gameplans and adapted really well."
His opposite number, Babar Azam, was reflective but could not hide his disappointment at the result.
"Definitely disappointment as a team," he said. "First innings, we lost back-to-back wickets, we were good in batches, but that moment cost us.
"Bowling [was also a problem], definitely, your best pacer [Shaheen Shah Afridi] is not fit so that cost us. A lot of positive things in this series, but also things that we lack."
Duckett's star continues to shine
The Nottinghamshire batsman did not exactly take his opportunity in 2016 when he faced Bangladesh and India, scoring just 110 across four Test matches against the pair.
Finally getting back into the England team six years later, he looked far more accomplished, scoring 357 across six innings in Pakistan at an average of 71.40, and hitting at least 100 runs in all three Test matches, before ultimately seeing his team home with another impressive outing in Karachi.
Brook announces himself on Test scene
Stokes and McCullum appear to have a gem in Harry Brook, who won the player of the match and series awards.
Speaking at the presentation, the 23-year-old, who scored three centuries in the series and averaged 93.60 runs, said: "This was probably my best tour so far, to win 3-0 here, no-one's done it before, it was phenomenal from the lads."
The duo each brought up centuries as England recovered from the early loss of Jonny Bairstow in terrific fashion, reaching 415-9 before Stokes declared with the hosts having built a mammoth first-innings advantage of 264.
While England's bowlers failed to cap a tremendous day in Manchester with a late wicket, South Africa's opening duo were limited to 23 runs, leaving them with a mountain to climb on day three.
After seeing Bairstow bat England out of trouble on Thursday, South Africa began day two looking for quick wickets, and Anrich Nortje (3-82) got them off to a fine start.
Having stopped Bairstow one run short of his half-century, he accounted for Zak Crawley (38) with a superb delivery just two overs later as the hosts began nervously after resuming on 111-3.
But the Proteas failed to make that momentum count as England steadied themselves either side of lunch, with Stokes (103) and Foakes (113 not out) striking up a fearsome sixth-wicket partnership of 173 to drive Brendon McCullum's men into a commanding lead.
Stokes brought up his 12th Test hundred – and first as captain – shortly before being caught by Dean Elgar off Kagiso Rabada's delivery, but Foakes was unaffected as he went on to rack up just his second tonne in the format.
Foakes survived as Stuart Broad (21), Ollie Robinson (17) and Jack Leach (11) were dismissed before Stokes' declaration, with the home side then seeing out the day without incident after taking up the ball.
Sarel Erwee (12 not out) and Elgar (11 not out) managed just two boundaries between them in a quiet final nine overs, leaving England as favourites to avoid suffering their first back-to-back home Test defeats since August 2008.
England give South Africa the Bens
Stokes' superb knock eased the pressure on England following a less-than-ideal start on Friday and brought him his fourth Test hundred against South Africa, more than he has managed against any other side (three each versus West Indies and Australia, one apiece against India and New Zealand).
The skipper was upstaged, however, as Foakes cruised to his highest score in the format, recording a first home Test century despite failing to hit a single six.
The tourists, who dramatically levelled the four-match series at 1-1 last time out with the aid of a man-of-the-match display from Stokes, won the toss and opted to bat on a sluggish track, a decision South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis said he would have taken if given the chance.
Zak Crawley (44) and Dom Sibley (36) demonstrated plenty of patience in batting past lunch, the inexperienced openers sharing 70 in 31 overs as England avoided losing a wicket in the first session of a Test in which they had batted first for the first time since 2011.
However, although all of England's top four got in, Joe Denly and Joe Root adding 25 and 27 respectively, South Africa made regular inroads to gain the upper hand shortly after tea, Keshav Maharaj (1-55 from 32 overs) making a valuable contribution after Du Plessis had questioned the need for a spinner before the game.
After slipping to 148-4, Root's side were grateful for an unbeaten stand of 76 between Stokes (38 not out), who was twice dropped, and Pope (39 not out), which raised their hopes of making a substantial first-innings score.
A largely sedate opening session saw England add 61 runs without loss against an attack boasting a debutant new-ball bowler in Dane Paterson.
However, the breakthrough for the Proteas came in the fourth over after lunch when Sibley - a centurion in Cape Town - clipped Kagiso Rabada (2-48) to Dean Elgar at backward square-leg.
The assured Crawley took his team into three figures with a four, but he fell in similar fashion to Sibley as the diving Rassie van der Dussen pulled off a terrific diving catch at leg gully off Anrich Nortje.
Maharaj did a particularly good job of limiting Denly's scoring and eventually got the wicket he deserved, a review showing England's number three to be plumb lbw after a delivery struck pad before bat.
When Root was comprehensively bowled by a Rabada delivery that stayed low and crashed into off stump, South Africa looked to have seized the initiative.
Yet Stokes, who was named the Men's Cricketer of the Year for 2019 by the ICC on Wednesday, survived a number of scares to stabilise the innings alongside Pope.
South Africa burned both of their initial reviews with attempts to dismiss Stokes in successive Maharaj overs, while the all-rounder was reprieved on 10 when Pieter Malan failed to hold onto a difficult chance at short-leg.
Stokes got lucky again when he edged Paterson just short of slip in the next over, while Maharaj almost found his off stump when he missed a slog sweep.
Pope claimed three successive fours after Nortje took the new ball and the Proteas wasted another review when the sparingly used Vernon Philander incorrectly felt he had trapped Stokes lbw not playing a shot, only for replays to show the ball was comfortably missing off stump.
While progress for England was slow on Thursday, Temba Bavuma, who was told a "weight of runs" would help him regain his place in the Proteas team, made a career-best 180 for the Lions in South Africa's four-day domestic competition.
Brought together with the hosts tottering 81-3, opener Sibley and all-rounder Stokes watchfully added 126 by the close on Thursday and their weighty alliance was eventually worth 260.
Sibley was caught at deep midwicket by Kemar Roach off Roston Chase – whose 5-172 partially spared a beleaguered Windies seam attack – to depart for a steady 120 that featured few other moments of similar ambition.
The wisdom of England's scoring rate might only be known when Saturday's mixed Manchester weather forecast plays out, but Stokes was imperious for his 176 within 469-9 declared and Sam Curran's successful review to have John Campbell lbw for 12 left the tourists 32-1 at the close.
Attrition was the order of the morning, with Sibley particularly unflappable in his refusal to chase three figures, scoring a mere 15 from 63 deliveries in the session and bringing up a second Test ton in the third over before lunch.
Stokes was forced to break on 99 after bolting 40 on to his overnight score and he raised his bat after reverse-sweeping Chase to the fence.
The off-spinning all-rounder had a considerable workload as Alzarri Joseph pulled up injured during his 24th over and Shannon Gabriel toiled through 26 sets of six without rewards.
Chase trapped Ollie Pope (7) lbw after removing Sibley and Curran (17), who blasted a handsome straight six, top-edged a sweep to become his fifth victim and the last England batsman out.
The tireless Kemar Roach (2-58) had seen off Stokes and Chris Woakes, the latter for a duck, with consecutive balls, while Jos Buttler fell to Windies captain Jason Holder (1-70) – his 40 from 79 deliveries slightly underwhelming given the match situation.
Dom Bess' breezy unbeaten 31 lifted England past 450 and had Curran sent another leg before appeal against nightwatchman Joseph upstairs from the penultimate ball of the day, West Indies would have gone in two down.
Dour Dom is Sibley the best for Silverwood
Sibley's carefully compiled knock was unquestionably a phenomenal feat of concentration as he spent 372 balls at the crease. A strike rate of 32.25 meant he rarely set pulses racing.
However, having a solid presence like Sibley at the top of the order is something coach Chris Silverwood has demanded, marking a clear departure from the more cavalier approach against the red ball under Trevor Bayliss. It appears to be paying dividends, as England have recorded 400 in the first innings in three of their past four Tests, having managed it only once in the previous 26.
Stokes stands apart
An absurdly good-check drive for six over long-on off Joseph marked another sparkling addition to Stokes' career showreel. But his 356 balls faced – 119 more than any other innings in his Test career – underlined how he is now a batsman at home in any situation, able to play at whatever tempo is required. No one has more than Stokes' four centuries in Tests since the start of last year. As Joe Root continues to work to try and iron out technical kinks, Stokes is England's best batsman as well as their best all-rounder.
Roach ends his long wait
When Roach put himself on a hat-trick by having the great Virat Kohli caught behind in Kingston last September, he probably did not think a wicket drought was imminent. A gruelling wait was over when Stokes tickled one through to Shane Dowrich. Woakes was caught in the gully next ball. Two in two, 10-and-a-half months with none, two in two – Roach will hope the pattern stops repeating right there.
Stokes, who recently took over as England's red-ball captain and won his first four Tests in charge, was already set to miss the T20I series with South Africa and The Hundred to manage his workload.
The all-rounder has now opted to bow out from the 50-over format, in which he played an instrumental role in delivering England's greatest achievement, his remarkable 84 not out and a subsequent eight in the Super Over lifting them to victory in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand.
"I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham," Stokes said in a statement. "I have decided to retire from this format. This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way.
"As hard as a decision as this was to come to, it's not as hard dealing with the fact I can't give my team-mates 100 per cent of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.
"Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all. It's time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years.
"I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format.
"I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright.
"I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I've got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham.
"As always, the England fans have always been there for me and will continue to be there. You're the best fans in the world. I hope we can win on Tuesday and set the series up nicely against South Africa."
The all-rounder was dismissed for two on the opening day at the Wanderers and was heard on a live broadcast aiming expletives at a spectator.
After Friday's play, Stokes – who claimed to have been "subjected to repeated abuse" – took to Twitter to say sorry for his "unprofessional" reaction.
"I wish to apologise for my language that was heard on the live broadcast today after my dismissal," he wrote. "I should not have reacted in that way.
"As I was leaving the playing area, I was subjected to repeated abuse from the crowd. I admit that my reaction was unprofessional and I sincerely apologise for the language I used, especially to the many young fans watching the live telecast around the world.
"Throughout the Tests so far, the support from both sets of fans (England and South Africa) has been brilliant. One incident will not ruin such a competitive series, which we are determined to win."
It remains to be seen if officials will take any action against Stokes, who was one of four batsmen dismissed as England closed with 192 runs on the board.
The tourists lead the four-match series 2-1.
Root led his country in the longest format for just over five years, but brought his long reign to an end this month following an abysmal run of just one win in 17 matches.
Stokes has agreed to step up from his role as vice-captain after holding talks with new managing director of men's cricket Rob Key.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) approved the appointment of Stokes on Tuesday after Key recommended the 30-year-old for the job.
All-rounder Stokes said: "I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I'm excited about getting started this summer.
"I want to thank Joe for everything he has done for English cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world.
"He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role."
Key, who started his role this month with plenty of issues to address, said: "I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben.
"He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity."
Stokes' first match as skipper will be when a series against New Zealand starts at Lord's on June 2.
England should also have appointed a new Test head coach by the time they face the Black Caps after Chris Silverwood was sacked in the wake of a 4-0 Ashes hammering in Australia.
The ECB has opted to appoint separate head coaches for the Test and limited-overs teams.
Gary Kirsten, Simon Katich, Tom Moody and Graham Ford are among the names to be linked with the Test job.
The England all-rounder missed the start of the tournament after heading to New Zealand to spend time with his family following his father Ged's brain cancer diagnosis.
Stokes has been in his country of birth since being given permission to leave the England squad following the victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Old Trafford early in August.
The 29-year-old said his "head wasn't in it" during that win in Manchester after he discovered his father's diagnosis.
Stokes is now set to return to action in the IPL once he has undergone the mandatory six-day quarantine following his arrival in Dubai.
He posted pictures of himself on Instagram with his family on Saturday with a caption of "Goodbye's [sic] never get easier."
The Royals then tweeted: "Hi guys, quick question. How long does it take from Christchurch to UAE?" followed by a picture of Stokes on a plane.
Stokes was influential as England squared the Test series with West Indies, scoring 254 runs with the bat while also taking two crucial wickets on a dramatic final day in Manchester.
It was his dismissal of Jermaine Blackwood just prior to the tea break that opened the door for Joe Root's side to push for victory, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown at the same venue this week.
The updated International Cricket Council player rankings have Stokes listed as the leading all-rounder in the world in the longest format, while seamer Anderson believes the 29-year-old is on course to surpass the achievements of the great Ian Botham.
England's all-time leading wicket-taker admits it is "amazing" to be in the same team as an individual who can make such a massive impact in all three facets of the game.
"It's hard to say how good he is, because it's hard to find the words. I saw Joe Root say the other day that we're in the presence of greatness and he's spot-on," Anderson said of Stokes.
"The fact that he could get into any team as a batsman, without his bowling and fielding, speaks volumes. His bowling is getting better and better each time he goes out there; he could get into a lot of bowling attacks as well.
"It's just amazing to have that talent in our team, and also to be able to watch it first-hand.
"After a week where he's pretty much done everything – chasing balls off his own bowling, batting most of the two innings that we had and getting wickets as well – it can take a toll. We've got to make sure we look after him as well, so we can keep getting the best out of him for as long as possible.
"He's certainly the best all-rounder I've ever played with - and I think he's becoming the best all-rounder that England have ever had.
"There's no reason why he cannot go on and be even better, too. With the bat, averaging in the 40s, with the ball in the 30s and then taking spectacular catches.
"It's incredible that we've got him on our team."
While Stokes starred in the second Test, Anderson was not involved. The 37-year-old was rested after featuring in the series opener in Southampton, where West Indies triumphed by four wickets.
Stuart Broad, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes were the three seamers selected at Old Trafford last week, though with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood also available, Anderson acknowledged there is a serious fight to feature in England's best XI, which he expects to take the field in the decider.
"It's healthy competition but there are going to be some disappointed guys this week, three spot up for grabs and there's six or seven guys who could fill those spaces," he said.
"It's a good position to be in, because it shows we've got strength in depth.
"But I'm sure now we're in a position where, having rested guys and those that played this week, we can now pick our best thee going into this game wanting to win it."
Archer was excluded for the previous match due to breaching bio-secure protocols. However, he has served a period of self-isolation and returned two negative coronavirus tests, clearing him for action.
England completed the best run chase in their history (378) on Tuesday to defeat India in a thrilling fourth Test in Birmingham, drawing the delayed series after Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow hit second-innings centuries in a remarkable seven-wicket win.
But the triumph was overshadowed by reports of racism being aimed at India fans in the ground on day four, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Edgbaston subsequently launching investigations.
The claims were shared on social media by Azeem Rafiq, the former spin bowler who was at the centre of a racism scandal at Yorkshire. He made allegations of institutional racism, and an independent report upheld that he had been a victim of "racial harassment and bullying".
After close of play on Monday, the ECB said it was "very concerned" by the claims in a short statement, and skipper Stokes has now taken to social media to decry the reported abuse.
"Amazing week on the pitch but really disappointed to hear reports of racist abuse at Edgbaston," he tweeted.
"Absolutely no place for it in the game.
"Hope all the fans at the white-ball series have a brilliant time and create a party atmosphere. That's what cricket's about!"
England and India get their three-part T20 series underway at the Rose Bowl on Thursday, in the white-ball side's first outing of Jos Buttler's captaincy.
That was the verdict of captain Joe Root on Thursday as he readied the home team for the series decider at Old Trafford.
Talisman Stokes bowled 27.4 overs across two innings in the second Test, picking up three valuable wickets, as well as making 176 and 78 not out with the bat.
But England are determined to protect their star all-rounder and that may means he is selected as a specialist batsman on Friday morning.
"We'll have to be really clear on where Ben's at - he's still feeling it a little bit on his quad, so we're making sure he's fit to bowl and if not that might change how we go with things slightly," Root said.
"He pretty much spent the whole time on the field [in the second Test]. It was a long old game for him, but it does take a lot to keep him down and to take him out of the action.
"We'll see how he is in the morning and if you look at the squad of players we've got, we've got plenty of brilliant options.
"I feel like whatever combination we decide to go with will definitely be worthy of taking 20 wickets."
Quicks Jofra Archer, James Anderson and Mark Wood come back into the picture for the third Test, providing competition for Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad and Sam Curran in a 14-man squad.
Root explained Archer is raring to go and said the recent online racist abuse suffered by the Sussex paceman had been "disgusting".
Archer, who missed the second Test after breaching strict protocols on the team's bio-secure environment, said in a newspaper column he reported the racist abuse to the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Root said: "He's got his smile back. He's been bowling at the speed of light.
"It was disgusting to see some of the stuff he's had to put up with over the last week. As a squad we've tried to get round him and let him know we're all there for him.
"No-one should have to go through anything like that. There's no other word other than disgusting really."
