STOKES WANTS MAJOR PART IN DOUBLE QUEST
BEN STOKES has called on himself to produce the goods for England’s T20 side – just like he has done in the 50- over and Test teams.
Ahead of a threematch T20 series against South Africa, Stokes has fired the starting gun with a year to go until the T20 World Cup in India, where Eoin Morgan’s men will chase an historic double.
No side has followed up a 50- over World Cup crown with the shorter format title, but with Stokes and Indian Premier League MVP Jofra Archer leading the way, England rightly fancy their chances.
“We are totally focused on adding another trophy to the 50- over title we won last year,” said Stokes.
“And looking around the group of players we’ve got out here in Cape Town, there is no doubt in my mind that we’ve got enough talent to choose from to give ourselves that chance at history.
“For me personally, I want to contribute a bit more in this format. I’d like to bring as much quality and consistency as I have done in the Test and ODI teams to this side.
“I don’t like looking back too much but I don’t think I’ve delivered as much as I would have liked to in T20 games when I’ve played. I want to change that.”
Stokes scored another T20 ton in the IPL last month but he revealed he won’t be swapping opening roles with Jos Buttler for England like he did at the Rajasthan Royals.
Ahead of the series opener at Newlands on Friday, Stokes added: “That T20 hundred as an opener in the IPL felt good.
“I’d wanted to do that for a while but the middle- order role I play for England is a different challenge and one I’m looking forward to.
“In times gone by we’ve seen players rested from the format as the 2019 World Cup took priority, but that has changed now and I expect we’ll be seeing our strongest T20
side more.”