Ben Stokes: from the ‘Bristol incident’ to England’s Test captaincy

Since the incident in Bristol that “nearly destroyed his career”, Stokes has certainly “come a long way”, said Steve James in The Times. Overcoming “so many difficulties” has shown that the new England captain “possesses a rare determination to succeed”. 

Stokes bowling in a training session for England

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‘When he speaks, players listen’

Stokes was “No 1 choice in a field of one”, Samuel added in the Mail. He is a “quite brilliant player” and “if this were a general election”, he would be “returned with a landslide and chaired into parliament”.

There was “no need to overthink” the appointment, said former England captain Mike Atherton in The Times. Stokes is a “proven Test match cricketer” and has shown himself to be “an inspirational player” time and again. “He has the respect of the dressing room, as a player, leader and man. When he speaks, players listen; when he motions, they follow.”

Nasser Hussain, another former captain, agrees that Stokes is the “best option” and someone who “puts himself secondary” to England winning. Speaking on Sky Sports, Hussain added that England have a “winner in charge of our Test team” and “he will be doing everything to make sure we win every Test match we play”.

His great all-round predecessors – Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff – may have both failed as captains, said Tim Wigmore in The Telegraph. But there are reasons to believe Stokes “can thrive in both roles”. 

Stokes starred as England won the World Cup in 2019

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New coach for Lord’s first Test? 

Following the series defeats in Australia and the West Indies, there has been a personnel overhaul within the England set-up. With Key and Stokes now appointed in their roles, the next task for the ECB is to recruit separate head coaches for the men’s Test and white-ball teams. Key said he is “optimistic” that a new coach will be in place for the first Test on 2 June against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Stokes has scored 5,061 runs and taken 174 wickets in 79 Tests for England, the BBC reported. He had been vice-captain across two spells since 2017 and previously captained the side in the first Test defeat by West Indies in 2020. 

One of his first demands as England’s Test skipper is for James Anderson and Stuart Broad to return to the squad, said Ali Martin in The Guardian. “Subject to form and fitness”, the veteran bowlers will be “back in the fold” for the summer schedule.

England men’s 2022 summer fixtures 

England vs. New Zealand Test series

• 2-6 June: Lord’s 
• 10-14 June: Trent Bridge 
• 23-27 June: Emerald Headingley 

England vs. India Test match

• 1-5 July: Edgbaston

England vs. India IT20 Series

• 7 July: Ageas Bowl 
• 9 July: Edgbaston 
• 10 July: Trent Bridge

England vs. India one-day series 

• 12 July: Kia Oval 
• 14 July: Lord’s
• 17 July: Emirates Old Trafford 

England vs. South Africa one-day series

• 19 July: Riverside 
• 22 July: Emirates Old Trafford 
• 24 July: Headingley 

England vs. South Africa international Twenty20 series

• 27 July: The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
• 28 July: Sophia Gardens 
• 31 July: Ageas Bowl 

England vs. South Africa Test series

• 17-21 August: Lord’s 
• 25-29 August: Emirates Old Trafford 
• 8-12 September: Kia Oval 

Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/sport/cricket/956600/ben-stokes-england-test-captain