Ben Stokes: “I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the England Test team. It’s a real privilege and I’m excited to start this summer”; Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket: “He embodies the mindset and approach we want to bring to this team”
Ben Stokes has been named the new captain of the England men’s trial team.
Ben Stokes has been named the new captain of the England men’s Test team, succeeding Joe Root in the role.
New men’s cricket managing director Rob Key met with Stokes earlier this week and the multi-talent has now agreed to take up the job.
Stokes said in a statement that he was “honored” to become captain, while also thanking Root for the “large part” he played in his development as a leader.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the England Test team,” he said. “This is a true privilege, and I am excited to start this summer.
“I want to thank Joe (Root) for everything he has done for English cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport around the world.
“He has been an important part of my development as a locker room leader and will continue to be a key ally to me in this role.”
Key said in a statement that he “didn’t hesitate” to offer Stokes the job, adding: “He epitomizes the mindset and approach we want to take this team into the next era of red ball cricket.”
speaking exclusively to Sky sports news after the announcement, Key said: “It’s the right time for him [Stokes].
“Ultimately, he’s been a leader in that locker room for a long, long time. He’s been the one people have turned to most of the time, the one people follow.”
“He will be a strong leader, make no mistake about it. He has a good cricket brain and a lot of empathy as well.”
Stokes is a key member of the England team in all three formats; Asked if the added responsibility of test captaincy might lead him to play less cue-ball cricket, Key confirmed that “there will be times when he does, there’s no doubt about that”.
The new managing director added: “We have to manage that load. We have to prioritize the times when we think he needs to be playing, obviously at the time when it will be Test cricket.
“I don’t think we should think about this too much. We just need to make sure he’s in a good frame of mind, his body is in good shape and then plan accordingly.”
“We don’t need to plan six months in advance when Stokes will or won’t play, we just need to make sure we’re in the loop at all times.”
“In Test Cricket, at the moment, we want to get the best of ourselves in the park. That’s it, it’s a pretty simple game in that sense.”
Stokes’ first game in charge will be the opening test against New Zealand at Lord’s from June 2, the first game in a three-match series against the Black Caps that continues at Trent Bridge from June 10 and concludes at Clean Slate Headingley from June 23rd. .
England also face India and South Africa in Test Cricket this summer with Stokes, who served as Root’s vice-captain, looking to correct a poor run of results that has seen the Test side lose 11 and win one of their last 17 games.
The Ashes’ 4-0 loss in Australia over the winter cost head coach Chris Silverwood and managing director Ashley Giles their jobs, while Root resigned as captain weeks after the 1-0 series loss at the West Indies in March.
Tom Harrison, chief executive of the ECB, spoke of his “delight” at Stokes becoming the new England Test captain, calling it “another great achievement in his extraordinary career in an England shirt.” .
“He cares deeply and passionately about what it means to represent England and will lead us into a new era with great pride,” added Harrison.
England have announced split head coaches with one person to coach the test squad and another to take charge of international one-day and T20 international cricket.
Stokes captained England for a test in the summer of 2020, a four-wicket loss to the West Indies at The Ageas Bowl, while Root was on paternity leave.
The all-rounder also led England to a 3-0 ODI series win over Pakistan at home last summer having taken the reins after an outbreak of Covid-19 forced the hosts to select an entirely new squad.
