England can push on with superstar Stokes leading the charge
ENGLAND are within touching distance of another global final and I can’t see Pakistan stopping them.
They are the form team, they have got every base covered and, in Ben Stokes, have one of the best players in the world. As far as all-rounders go, I don’t think there are any better right now. With what he can do with bat, ball and in the field, he is exceptional. He is box office and he is getting better. Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Stokes – these are the global superstars of the game. Ben gives everything each time he plays and operates at 100mph doing so. Everything he does gets people excited. He’s England’s action man and that is what fans pay to see. People talk about the big price tag he had in the IPL, but the way he played, and has kept improving, I think he was the bargain buy of the tournament. The numbers will go up. His ton against Australia on Saturday was a superb counter-punch, but he showed everyone what he could do to them in Perth a few years ago, going into their back yard when few had heard of him. Those of us who watched that performance picked him out as something very special and he hasn’t disappointed. There is a lot of pride in him up here in Durham, just as there is back in New Zealand where he was born although, having spent most of his life here, his accent is pure North-East. He is a terrific ambassador for the area. I like him as a person, he’s got a great character with his feet firmly on the ground, and that will only help as the fame and adulation grow. I doubt he will be fazed by any of it. All he wants to do is get out into the middle and compete for his country. That is what he does best and where he can express himself. And right now he has that wonderful feeling where anything is possible. It is also great to see Mark Wood right up there with him. The pair drive each other up and down the motorway to games and I’m delighted at the success Woody is having. He’s had setback after setback with injuries, but he’s shown he is a fighter and bowling as well as he ever has to give his captain a terrific option. I’m sure he thinks the waiting, and the work he’s put in, has been worth it to get back playing for England.