The appointment of Ben Stokes as England vice-captain to Joe Root is one of English cricket's boldest decisions since Nasser Hussain was made captain 18 years ago.
While Root was a foregone conclusion as Alastair Cook’s successor as Test captain, an accession that was obvious once Root cut the cocky kid act a few years ago, Stokes’ promotion as his deputy would have required a larger leap of faith. Arrested for anti-social behaviour in 2011, sent home from an England Lions tour for persistent late-night drinking in 2013, Stokes appeared to be heading for an Asbo rather than absolution.
It wasn’t just off the field, either, that he was a fully signed-up hothead resplendent with tattoos, a combination the establishment normally avoids when choosing players for higher office. In short, Stokes looked to be the opposite of Cook, whose tarnish-free image once moved Giles Clarke to describe him as “very much the sort of person we want the England captain and his family to be”.
What Clarke meant to say was that Cook is polite, contained, well-spoken and public-school educated, none of which can be readily applied to Stokes.
Stokes is not head honcho, yet, but he will be if Root is injured, inconvenienced or, heaven for fend, banned for slow over rates. Whenever that happens, and it will, the outcome promises to be anything but dull with Stokes leading the way.
Denne historien er fra February 17,2017-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 17,2017-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
