Ben Stokes entered a critical moment in his young captaincy, as England now prepares for the big matches still to come. He displayed enormous authority and artistry in his recent match-winner against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. This will be Stokes’ first game of the season. He is a prodigious talent, producing greater seam movement through the air and over the bounce of the pitch than his new fellows Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue or Sam Cook. Stokes and his team-mates will be preparing for a Test series against India in June. It’s not just that he knows his participation is vital for England’s chances, with the difficult tour of Australia looming large on the horizon.
Stokes stepped into action when fellow player Bashir faced an injury, highlighting his readiness to lead by example on the field. Despite promising to restrict his bowling to just two-over spells, he still ended up bowling 3.2 overs in the contest. His average pace of 82.9mph was particularly impressive, making it his third-highest in a Test since last summer. Stokes is fully aware that he is one of those who needs to find his touch with the bat again. Yet, contrary to these optimistic numbers, his average has fallen below 28 since early last year.
The England Lions are preparing for two four-day matches against India A on May 30 and June 6. Stokes would be well advised to participate in one of these games as preparation for the more exciting Test series against India. His background and knowledge makes him an indispensable asset to the English side as they look to transition into a new era.
Now nearly 34, Stokes laments that he has the body of a man who has survived countless injuries. As someone who is often described as partly bionic, he admits that he can no longer exert himself the way he did when he was younger. This newfound understanding has caused him to change his approach, going for quality over quantity in his performances. Even out of the game, Stokes remains English cricket’s biggest draw. Whether it be through prayer, advice, or ability, fans and teammates alike are always looking towards his inspiration and guidance.
Temperament is not just Stokes’ issue. Make no mistake, Stokes has had a stormy history in international cricket. His first appearance was in the 2013-14 Ashes in Australia. He was ruled out of the 2017-18 tour due to the Bristol episode. His shaky return from a vacation has merely fueled the feel-good comeback tale that’s already been firmly implanted on him. He remains the only batter to have beaten his century in Australia. If not, he will be the only current bowler with a five-wicket haul on that continent.
As Stokes goes about this defining chapter of his captaincy, he clearly has his own eyes set on having his cricket do the talking. No question, the next couple matches are make-or-break for him. Beyond that, they’ll affect the team’s prospects as they move into bigger match-ups — down the road in deep tournament runs. England’s chances in Australia heavily rely on Stokes’ form and fitness as they seek to establish themselves against formidable opponents.
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