If life is defined by moments then Ben Stokes is a man, and a captain, who can seize them. Stokes is not just a game changer as he has showed in both the test and one-day arena, but he is a character who can seize the initiative too. And how England need it.
Joe Root is a player of admirable character. He led the England team with distinction and his character has been steadfast throughout. He is also an incredible batsman who has steered England during a difficult period and he has done so without help from those above him. England have been directionless, rudderless and devoid of ambition from the top down and, despite his best efforts, Root has failed to overcome those who have undermined him.
Root has indicated his intent to remain in the test setup and he will be a key ally of Stokes in the months ahead. He is, after all, one of England’s most experienced players and the 4th best batsman in the world behind only Labuschagne, Smith and Williamson. He will occupy his preferred position in the batting line-up, at 4, with Stokes at 6 in the test series against New Zealand. Without the weight of the captaincy, it will be interesting to see if Root is able to take his game to another level.
Stokes inherits a team in turmoil. England sit 5th in the test rankings and that isn’t good enough for a team with so much potential. Changing the captain is the least that England need but it is a start. Ben Stokes is a fiery, driven character who has the charisma to take his players with him on a journey and he’s going to need buy in if England are going to become a world-beating test team (in the original, literal sense). Stokes doesn’t take prisoners, he needs buy in and he will get it from those who go with him on this journey.
So what can Stokes do differently? He has already indicated that Broad and Anderson are a part of the plan. England need their best players if they are going to start the long slog back to the top of the ICC rankings. Stokes retains the support of Root and it has been mooted that Butler will return to the fold. Outside of the test team, he does not have a wealth of talent to call upon but Stokes is a captain who will make the most of the resources he does have. His ruthless streak will be of use too in pushing back against the money-first culture of the ECB which I have written about at length before.
On the pitch, Stokes is a game changer and can grasp the nettle when the going becomes turgid and stale. You only have to look at the summer of 2019 for two outstanding moments which Stokes instigated. He is a lovable character whom the English public adore too with hero-status as a result of his previous on-field heroics.
Stokes can lean on his own experiences, from within cricket and the outside world, to relate to, coach and lead his players. His life outside of cricket means that his England teammates will likely find him more relatable and approachable than his predecessor. Ensuring his players are in the right frame of mind may yield better performances on the pitch, a happy team is a winning team, so the saying goes.
At the age of 30, Stokes may not be a long term appointment but he is a popular leader and a clever selection from newly appointed Managing Director, Rob Key. It is to be hoped that this is the start of a revolution, a moment where Stokes can fire up England’s star players in Root, Anderson and Broad whilst encouraging England’s future stars in Hameed, Fisher and Crawley.
I don’t know if Stokes’ tenure as captain will be a successful one but I can’t wait to find out.