Ben Stokes’ big test

SIR – The appointment of Ben Stokes as England’s Test cricket captain is controversial, as shown by the divide between your writers Oliver Brown and Scyld Berry (Sport, April 28). I suspect no one is sure if it is a stroke of genius or a disaster in the making.

However, we should not put more pressure on him by suggesting he can be a great run-making machine.

The example used by Mr Berry, of the Headingly Test in 2019, says it all. He hit three runs from the first 73 balls and 74 runs off the next 45. It is either his temperament or skill set that prevents him from manoeuvring the ball, thus gradually increasing the run rate. Until he masters this art he will not be a great middle-order batsman but, rather, a batsman who occasionally creates a great innings. John Hanson

Canterbury, Kent