England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have appointed All-rounder Ben Stokes as the new skipper of England Men’s Test Team. Stokes will be the 81st captain of the England Men’s Test team. Earlier this month, Joe Root had stepped down from the role.
Ben Stokes after the announcement said:
“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I’m excited about getting started this summer. I want to thank Joe (Root) for everything he has done for English Cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role.”
The new managing director of the England national men’s team- Rob Key talked about Ben Stokes’ appointment. He said:
“I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben. He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity.”
Ben Stokes made his Test debut in December 2013. He has played 79 Test matches, scoring 5061 runs at an average of 35.89. He has 11 centuries and 1 double century to his name. With the ball, Stokes has taken 174 wickets including 4 fifers.
In the red-ball format, Stokes is best known for his astonishing unbeaten knock of 135 in the Ashes, at Headingley. For the last wicket, he had a 76 run partnership with Jack Leach. Stokes’ partner contributed with 1 run in the stand. England pulled off a stunning one-wicket victory.
In July 2020, Ben Stokes had led the England side once against West Indies in a Test match, as permanent skipper Joe Root had taken leave to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. England are currently at bottom of the 2021-23 World Test Championship Points Table. It would be interesting to see the changes which Skipper Stokes can bring in the current Test set-up of the team.
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