It’s time for Big Ben!
All-rounder key to captaincy plans, says Wood
JOE Root may be the obvious choice to replace Alastair Cook as England’s next Test captain, but Durham fast bowler Mark Wood believes Ben Stokes is the perfect deputy for the Yorkshireman.
The all-rounder has become one of England’s most important players in all formats of the game, with his explosive batting and nerveless bowling guaranteeing his place in the middle-order for the foreseeable future.
Root, who is expected to be named as Test skipper imminently, is likely to bring a more aggressive style to the role than Cook – something the fiery Stokes would mesh with perfectly with the two also being good friends.
And Wood, a key member of the triumphant 2015 Ashes side who has struggled with injury in the last 12 months, thinks the duo could lead England to great success for years to come.
“Joe is the obvious choice with him being vice-captain. But it’s a tight-knit group and whoever steps in will do a good job,” explained Wood. “I think all the lads will back Joe.
“I would like to see Ben get involved, too. He is a leader around the team, and if he had some more responsibility or the vice-captaincy, then that would be great.
“People now realise how valuable he is to England. He delivers with the ball and goes out with the bat. He is never selfish and works hard for the team – that is his character, and he offers that.
“I am a bit disappointed Alastair stood down because I got on really well with him, and I liked his captaincy.
“Alastair was very proud to captain his country and he was
always great with me.”
Wood is on the comeback trail from his third ankle injury in the last 12 months, and is currently in South Africa regaining fitness.
The 27-year-old, who missed England’s tour to India, could return sooner than expected after earning a late call-up to the England Lions squad to tour Sri Lanka later this month.
After that he will jet off to Dubai to play in the North - South series before coming back in time for the start of the county season – where he hopes to impress ahead of this summer’s Champions Trophy.
“Mentally, it is hard. I think anyone who has had an injury for a bit of time finds it hard but to have three in a year was difficult to take – especially when I had a taste of international cricket and realised how good it is when you test yourself against the best,” added Wood.
“I think I have a lot to prove which is mentally hard because you wonder if you will ever get back there.
“If I can get my body right then I can show everyone how good I can be.
“I don’t want to watch any more cricket on TV, I would rather be playing it.
“But hopefully that is the end of it and I can get back to playing – whether that be for the Lions, in the NorthSouth series or for England.”