Ben deserves captaincy after earning Bristol redemption

It would never have seemed possible that dark day almost five years ago when it emerged Ben Stokes had been involved in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub. then his very future as an England player, let alone any chance he might have had to become captain, was in serious jeopardy and a rare talent looked like throwing everything away in one night of madness while on duty for his country. this correspondent was among the biggest critics of Stokes then. I questioned whether he could possibly represent England again after behaving in such a reckless and ill-disciplined manner and certainly agreed with his ‘suspension’ from that winter’s Ashes. But, I am pleased to report, Stokes looked every inch an England captain, relaxed and upbeat in tracksuit in his home surroundings of the Riverside Ground, on his unveiling yesterday. He paid a heavy price for Bristol, even though he was subsequently acquitted on charges of affray, but has matured to the point where he is deserving of the highest office in English cricket. the 81st England men’s test captain is now truly worthy of the role. take his measured response yesterday when asked about his journey since Bristol, from the lows of injury problems, personal tragedy and a break from the game to protect his mental health to the highs of the world Cup triumph and Headingley miracle of 2019. ‘Back then I’d never have pictured sitting at a table here, speaking as England captain,’ said Stokes of Bristol as he addressed the media in the Colin Milburn Suite, another larger-than-life cricketer. ‘But I’ve always tried to see every experience, be they good or bad, as something to learn from. You know, people still talk about that t20 world Cup final (when he conceded four last-over sixes off successive balls to west Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite) and there are plenty of experiences that could have chewed and swallowed me up and that would have been me done. But I never let that happen. I guess I’m too stubborn to let anything get on top of me.’ doubts over this appointment remain, of course. Not over whether Stokes is worthy of the role now and certainly no doubts that he has both the ability and tactical acumen to do the job. But because of the genuine fear that the test captaincy could break him. I called the decision to make him captain madness when Joe Root quit — even going as far as to advocate a left-field choice of Sam Billings instead — simply because of the fear it will all end in tears and probably sooner rather than later. But to be in durham yesterday was to be given hope that I may have got that wrong too. to listen to Stokes — and new Md Rob Key (left) at lord’s last week — was to be given hope that England really can rise from the depths this summer and become a test force again. Above all else, Ben Stokes, who will

make his first appearance of the season for Durham against Worcestershire at new

Road tomorrow, makes english Test cricket relevant again. To have him as captain is box office, as was shown by the queue of broadcasters in a line on the Durham outfield to talk to him and the film crew following him around making a documentary. Good on Stokes and the eCB, too, for unveiling him in Durham rather than, as is traditionally the case, in a blazer at lord’s. There may, at times, be trouble ahead, but it’s going to be an eventful and hopefully happy journey.