THE ENTERTAINERS
Stokes gives his England side licence to thrill again
Ben StokeS has told his england team to forget about being sportsmen and instead think of themselves as the great entertainers.
the captain wants to follow last week’s incredible victory over new Zealand at trent Bridge with a repeat in the final test at Headingley today — including another stand-out individual display like Jonny Bairstow’s matchwinning century. ‘ I’ve said to the players, “Let’s try to think like we’re in the entertainment business rather than the sporting one”,’ said Stokes, back in training after missing tuesday’s practice through illness.
‘You saw on the last day at trent Bridge (when england chased 299 in 50 overs to win) what we want to do. We just wanted to chase the runs down without thinking about the overs.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw someone do something similar here to what Jonny did last week.’
Ben StokeS loomed large at Headingley yesterday both on the big screen, where highlights of his miracle demolition of Australia three years ago were being shown, and on the outfield as he promised more of the same against new Zealand in today’s third test.
After victory at Lord’s Stokes wanted england to be ‘even more positive than positive’ and now after an epic win at trent Bridge he has told them to think of themselves as entertainers rather than sportsmen. the mind boggles as to what england will do next.
How extraordinary to think that the 2019 Leeds game — ‘it was nice to see the highlights being played when we got here,’ said Stokes — was almost eclipsed by what this new england team did against new Zealand last week. How intriguing it will be, too, to discover where this journey will lead.
For now all sights are on what would be a remarkable 3-0 clean sweep of the world test champions and any suggestion of bowlers being rested here before next week’s encounter with India were dispelled when england named their strongest possible side. Gone, clearly, is the rotation policy under Joe Root and Chris Silverwood.
the side here will not include Jimmy Anderson, who has a ‘puffy ankle’ but is expected to be fit to face India at edgbaston next week. But it does include a captain who will not let a trifling illness stop him from leading this transformed england side.
‘I was just ill,’ said Stokes when asked what had kept him away from practice on tuesday. ‘But I’ve had two negative Covid tests and that’s why I’m standing here now.’
Stokes, who bemoaned his absence from the team barbecue put on by Jonny Bairstow on tuesday night, was happier talking about the all-out attacking philosophy instilled almost overnight by himself and new coach Brendon McCullum. ‘there’s a reason why nearly 20,000 came to trent Bridge to watch us on the last day,’ said Stokes. ‘So I’ve set a challenge to the team to be even more fearless, positive and aggressive. ‘If we keep doing good things on the field we will attract a new pool of fans to the game. that’s all we can do, it’s what we’re good at.’
Anything similar to the miracle of 2019, the trent Bridge classic or the original miracle of Headingley in 1981 would be a welcome antidote to the Yorkshire racism scandal that has cast a shadow over the famous old ground and almost led to this test being taken away.
that crisis cannot be forgotten but england can at least put it to one side for Yorkshire spectators while they carry on with their mission to ‘save’ test cricket.
england took the attacking option in their replacement for Anderson yesterday when they preferred the rapid, aggressive and sometimes wayward Jamie overton for his test debut ahead of his more reliable but not nearly as exciting twin Craig.
Jamie earns his call-up, at 28, on the back of his outstanding form for Surrey this season that has seen him take 21 Championship wickets at 21 apiece and forced two of his old Somerset colleagues to retire hurt with his fiery bouncers at taunton last week — Josh Davey and his twin Craig, who he firstly poleaxed and then welcomed back to the crease with another rapid bouncer.
Stokes said: ‘Jamie was part of the group we had with us in 2020 and I remember asking him to bowl fast and short at our batters. He did it for six overs and was very impressive. He’s got the attitude and attributes to be an international bowler and there’s no better time to show what he’s got.’
It has not always been an easy ride for the younger overton twin since he first appeared in the
England set-up without playing seven years ago. Even after his move from Somerset to Surrey to enhance his international ambitions he missed the bulk of last season with injury and was left out at the start of this one.
But he has worked on a shorter run-up with Surrey bowling coach azhar mahmood and made it clear he wanted to usurp his sibling — who enjoyed the best of his eight test appearances against india here last year.
overton will provide the extra pace missing with Jofra archer and mark Wood injured and will be given a specific role with the old ball, with Stuart Broad and matt Potts taking the new one.
they will come up against a new Zealand side strengthened by the return of captain Kane Williamson after Covid yet still trying to work out what hit them in nottingham. ‘i watched most of the last test on tV,’ said Williamson. ‘it wasn’t as if i had much else to do in isolation. no, i didn’t shout at the tV. You just have to applaud what England have come in with.’
now Williamson will attempt to stop England completing a series whitewash against new Zealand for the first time since 2013, but they will have to do it at a ground where Stokes returns in test cricket for the first time since his ashes spectacular.
‘it’s always a great place to play as an England cricketer,’ added Stokes. ‘ is that the Western
terrace?’ he asked pointing to the famous Leeds party enclosure. ‘it’s a good stand.’
it will be a lively one, too, if England deliver on their promise to keep all guns blazing.