As the coronavirus pandemic curve flattens in many parts of the world, England will play a three-match Test series against West Indies starting next month. Reports suggest that regular skipper Joe Root will miss the game due to the birth of his child. All-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to lead the team in his absence. However, former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has voiced his opinion against giving captaincy to Stokes.
Root, who is expecting his second child on the first week of July will miss the first Test against West Indies. The media widely reported that Stokes will take over leadership duties. He has become a vital cog in the line-up considering the match-winning efforts in the 2019 World Cup and the following Ashes.
Ben Stokes is not the right person: Kevin Pietersen
But Kevin Pietersen believes Ben Stokes is not the right candidate to lead England. Instead, he backed wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler to take over the charge in the absence of Joe Root. Pietersen said Stokes would be better off without added relationship.
“Do I want to see Ben Stokes change from who he is and the current player he is? Probably not. Jos Buttler would be my guy,” he told talkSPORT. “The entertainers and the guys that have to carry the mantle in the team sometimes aren’t the best captains and sometimes struggle with the extra added pressure,” he added.
Kevin Pietersen cited his example when he struggled to manage captaincy and batting when he took over the reins of England in 2008. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has so far led only three times – once for Durham under-17s and twice for Durham’s academy.
“I struggled with it, I absolutely hated it and I was rubbish. You have to change and I couldn’t command the respect of the dressing room,” he said.
