Ben Stokes Named Captain of the English Test Team
Ben Stokes has played in 79 Tests. For England, the ace all-rounder has a total of 5,061 runs and 174 wickets.
Ben Stokes named captain of the English Test Team by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday. The 30-year-old all-rounder will succeed Joe Root, who stepped down earlier this month as England’s captain.
1xCricket had first reports the Test Captaincy contenders for the English side.
Ben Stokes named the captain of the English Test Team was largely anticipated. Since 2017, he has served as vice-captain on two occasions. He has a total of 5,061 runs and 174 wickets in 79 Tests. His debut match as England’s permanent captain will be against New Zealand on June 2 at Lord’s.
In July, England will play India in the rescheduled fifth Test. In August and September, it will be followed by a Test series against South Africa.
“It is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead the England Test team,” Stokes added. “This is a tremendous honour, and I’m looking forward to getting started this summer.”
Stokes made his Test debut against Australia in December 2013, and was selected vice-captain in February 2017. In 2020, he also filled in for England captain Joe Root, who was away due to the birth of his second child. After much speculation Ben Stokes named captain of the English Test Team.
“I’d like to thank Joe Root for everything he’s done for English cricket and for always being a fantastic ambassador for the game throughout the world”
Ben Stokes
Since the start of the 2021-2023 World Test Championship, England has struggled. In the Ashes, they were humiliated by their perennial adversary, Australia. Then came a series of defeats against the West Indies.
“I had no reservations about offering Ben the post of Test captain,” England’s new managing director, Rob Key, stated. “He embodies the mindset and approach we want to take this squad into the next phase of red-ball cricket,” said the coach.
The first major test for Ben Stokes will be putting together England’s strongest playing XI. England’s two most successful bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, were absent from the West Indies trip. Joe Root, meanwhile, remained their most dependable batter.
On the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 standings, England is ninth and last. They have lost nine Tests in a row and have had one win in their last 17 games.
Meanwhile, England will revert to a split-coaching arrangement as the ECB’s Key made his first big move by announcing the hiring of two new head coaches. So far the official announcement is Ben Stokes named captain of the English Test Team.
Gary Kirsten, Graham Ford, and Simon Katich have all been mentioned as strong contenders. The deadline to apply for the positions of head coach is May 6.
The news of Ben Stokes named captain of the English Test Team has come as a pleasant news to his fans.