TIME FOR BIG BEN!
Cook calls for Stokes to lead an England revival
BEN STOKES may be short of experiece – but has been backed to complete his fairytale journey from pariah to the top job in English cricket by former Durham coach Geoff Cook
Joe Root’s decision to step down on Friday has left the England all-rounder as favourite to take over.
Comeback
And if Stokes does get the nod, just four years after finding himself facing an uncertain future following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, it wouldrepresent one of English cricket’s great comeback stories.
Cook is the former England opener who handed Stokes his first-class debut at Durham during his time there as a coach.
And he said: “Ben didn’t captain a Durham team during my time at the club, but the players always followed his example – which is a crucial part of the captaincy.
“I think that has been the same with England as well.
“If you’ve won that battle by your own actions then that’s a huge advantage if you’re stepping into the role.
“Ben’s a very astute tactician as well, he knows the game and he understands what makes people strong and what makes them not so strong.
“He’s more than just a very good cricketer, he’s a very bright cricketer.”
Patchy
But history shows that all-rounders have a patchy record leading England, the most high-profile examples being Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff – who both suffered disastrous spells at the helm in their time.
There is no doubt that handing Stokes the job would pile additional pressure on a cricketer who England are already incredibly reliant on.
But as he has shown over the past decade, Stokes thrives on responsibility and likes nothing better than a backs-to-the-wall battle.
His heroic, match-winning effort against Australia at Headingley in 2019 – when he scored an incredible 135 not out as England won by one wicket – was the perfect demonstration of that.
One leading member of Australia’s management team told me: “Ben’s the last man standing, isn’t he?
“I think the appointment of Stokes would be welcomed here as well.
“You need a strong character to cope with everything that comes with the Test job.
“I can’t see anyone else in this England team who could take that on and be a success.”