In all honesty, I do not think I would have chosen Ben Stokes as England Captain. But the more I think about this, the more I think it is the right call.
In recent years has been that it has all got so complicated. Yes, Covid made things complicated, but England managed to make it even more complicated than it needed to be. Strip away the complexity, and the choice of Stokes becomes a matter of common sense. He is the only person who is guaranteed to be selected (other than Joe Root). He had to be picked as Captain, and Rob Key was strong enough to ignore the noise.
Yes, The first thing that Stokes can bring is some common sense. In the first test match of a series, you pick the best players available. Sure, some may not be available due to workload, but of the best available, you take the best. In the first game of the recent Ashes series, the best available team included ‘Broaderson’ (Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad).
That also involves using your best players correctly. England’s best batters are Root, Stokes and Jonny Bairstow (plus Nat Sciver, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont). Stokes has already made 2 key decisions about himself and Root, and they both warrant exploration. Let us start with Stokes himself. He is the Captain, he gets to bat where he wants to, and he wants to bat at 6. Perhaps Root was too willing to ‘fit in with the team’ so hence moved himself between 3 and 4 in the order. Stokes has made a choice and he believes he can make the most impact at Number 6. The decision about Root is also very important. Root is one of the best we have ever had, so actually that should be enough – he bats where he wants to. But Stokes also pointed to Root’s record at 4. But the most important thing is that a clear decision has been made. Whether we think this is a good decision or not, the decision has been made and the debate is closed. Which brings me onto Jonny Bairstow.
Recent years have been blighted by a repeat of the The Stewart Saga, but this time the protagonists being Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes. When it comes to Bairstow, England have to make a decision and stick with it. I wanted Foakes to ‘keep, but he did not grab his chance. I would go with Bairstow at 7, keeping wicket. And I would give it a solid year. But if they go for Foakes they need to go for it consistently. And it is time for Buttler to move on, which I think will be easier. Rounding off the batting, perhaps Stokes’ common sense can also ensure that Rory Burns, Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope stop doing crazy things technically, and just go back to watching the ball.
As for the bowlers, picking the best ones is less clear cut, but choices have to be made and committed to. But Stokes must be the 5th bowler. That means going with a spinner and sticking with him – for me it would be Matt Parkinson, with second spinners picked when it is sensible. Normally it will mean 3 other seamers. If rotation is required, then make it consistent rotation (e.g. one of Anderson or Broad plays every game). And pick the best bowlers. The best bowlers, not the bowlers who can bat best. That has to involve Saqib Mahmood.
The other thing Stokes must bring is honesty. The appointment of Brendon McCullum as Test Match Coach will surely only boost this. In recent years, it has really annoyed England fans when England have blamed everything on Covid or rotation (which both did have a big impact). Some things were just poor decisions. For example, the fans supported the decision to rest Jos Buttler in India. But they did not support the decision to take him just for the First Test Match, then rest him. That was nuts.
It is back to basics. Pick the players who are the best, and do the right things with them. Own up when you get it wrong and learn from it. OK, sometimes it is debatable who is best, but as long as you have clear reasoning it is fine. Sometimes you will loose games. But do the best you can to win. Otherwise, England fans will stop going, which will be the end of the Test Matches.
Cricketed 