Ben Stokes appoints new England captain: Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton promise to return | News about cricket

Stokes landed the role of Joe Root, after meeting new men’s cricket chief executive Rob Key earlier in the week; The 30-year-old said in a statement that he was “honored” to be captain, and thanked Root for the “big part” he has played in his development as a team member. leaders

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Take a look back at some of Ben Stokes’ sensational bowling performances – including his 6-36 against Australia in 2015 and his 6-22 against the West Indies in 2017.

Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton react to Ben Stokes being selected as Joe Root’s successor and discuss how he can help bring success to the Test…

‘England has a winner in charge of the Test team’

Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain:

“I think Stokes is the best choice. He’s been vice-captain for four or five years and has a huge aurora and personality about him.

“You look at a number of people around the world; Mike Brearley, Mahela Jayawardene, Ian Chappell all end up saying ‘Ben Stokes is your man, make this man your captain’.

“Anyone who knows Ben knows that the only thing he’s passionate about is England winning. He considers himself secondary to England’s win. We have a winner in charge. our Test team and he will do everything to make sure we win every test match we play.

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Former England captain and Sky Sports cricket pundit Nasser Hussain agrees Ben Stokes is the best candidate to lead the Test team and his advice is to go your own way .

“I’ve heard people say ‘don’t pick Ben Stokes as your captain because he’s your best player’, but Joe Root is our best player and that has a positive impact on the game. his ball.

“His hits have steadily increased from power to strength over the past few years – he’s the best Test hitter in the world while commanding a booming side, so that’s not the case. influence Joe as the hitter.

“I kept hearing about Andrew Flintoff and Ian Botham and how they weren’t given the captain’s armband, but Imran Khan and Kapil Dev and Shaun Pollock and Tony Greig and the like – there were people with high workloads who did. Complete the task in the captain’s armband.

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England Men’s Cricket chief executive Rob Key says Ben Stokes is an outstanding candidate to be captain of the Test team and the time is right to appoint the all-rounder.

“We must judge Ben Stokes by the standards of Ben Stokes and not by the all-powerful former England cricket captains.

“You are only judged on your results. His job is not leadership and people management skills, his job is to win the game of cricket, it’s as simple as that. .

“England has won one of their last 17 games and it’s his job to get inside, swing around that dressing room and turn England into a winning dressing room, or at least a no-roller team.” messed up and lost as easily as before.

“I’ve seen Ben around England over the years and I can tell you nobody works harder on the game and their fitness. He wants to be on his side and do everything. maybe because of his team and teammates.

“Even in his announcement he wouldn’t be wearing the captain’s armband without mentioning Root. Had Root not stepped down as captain, I’m not sure Stokes would have taken the job. He’s very loyal to Root. .

“Every member of that cricket team will be absolutely delighted when Ben takes over.”

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Durham head coach James Franklin says Ben Stokes’ appointment as England test captain is not only a proud day for him but for the county as a whole.

‘Make a clear choice’

Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton:

“I think we are very good in England at solving problems that are too complicated and make life more difficult than usual. Only two players at the moment are guaranteed their place in the side. .

“One is Joe Root, who has just stepped down as captain, and the other is Ben Stokes, who has been clearly chosen.

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Former England captain Michael Atherton believes Ben Stokes is the obvious choice to replace Joe Root as England captain.

“Stokes has proven to be an inspirational cricketer over the years. He will lead from the front and the players will follow him. He has earned great respect there as a player. way is a cricketer and a man.

“Being 30 is a good time, because he’s not too young or too old and in the early years of his career, so from my point of view it’s a simple choice.

“The role of the former captain, both from personal experience and around people who’ve had to come back into the ranks, is that when you hand the captain’s armband, you’re quite happy to delegate the responsibility of making decisions.

“You just want to go and enjoy your cricket, score points if you’re a pitcher and get a bat if you’re a pitcher.

“Similarly, like I did with Nasser [Hussain] and Beny [Alec Stewart] is to say ‘I am here if you need me, you will have my full support. If you want any advice, I’m here to give it, but I’m not going to step on your toes. Now it’s your team and you have to go and do it your own way’.

“Being helpful without getting in the way is the way to go if I give any advice to Joe Root, not that he necessarily follows it!

“Stokes will obviously be his own. He has the opportunity to shape that team right now and take it in a different direction.”

Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton spoke on Sky Sports News.