Ben Stokes hopes England career ups and downs help him be Test captain success
Ben Stokes hopes the ups and downs of his England career will help him make a success of the Test captaincy.
Stokes was announced as Joe Root’s successor last week and will begin his reign against New Zealand at Lord’s next month.
It marks one of the proudest points in the all-rounder’s journey, during which he has produced some unforgettable performances and endured some major challenges.
He was arrested after a late night incident in Bristol in September 2017 and went on to miss an Ashes tour that winter before being cleared on a charge off affray, bouncing back to inspire England’s World Cup win in 2019.
Experience is on Ben Stokes’ side
Asked how his experiences had changed him over the course of his journey, Stokes told BBC Sport: “There’s a lot of things that I’ve gone through since I became a professional cricketer, and those experiences I feel are positive in this new role that I’ve got.
“I’ve been through a lot of goods and have been through a lot of bads and I feel like I can relate to both sides of what this sporting life can throw at you.
“I hope that now because I’m England captain, I’m not seen as a different person to the people who I’ve played with. I feel as if I’ve always been someone who anybody can come and speak to.
“I see everything that I’ve gone through as a positive and you can relate to people if that is good or bad. I don’t see anything that I’ve gone through as a negative. If anything, I see it as a way that I can always try and help them.”
Latest
-
EnglandOn this day 2011: England’s Matt Prior reprimanded over smashed window at Lord’s
Prior’s angry reaction came after he was run out on the final day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
T20 BlastJos Buttler hits half-century as Lancashire return to winning ways in the Blast
Opener Buttler hit 58 off 42 balls as the hosts successfully chased down 178
-
The AshesJos Buttler believes Moeen Ali will thrive on return to England’s Test side
has not played an international Test for nearly two years.
-
-
World Test ChampionshipTravis Head lays down Ashes marker with blistering century against India
Head was the standout performer as the Baggy Greens racked up 327 for three.
-
The AshesMoeen Ali’s return makes England stronger – Graeme Swann
Moeen is poised to play his first red-ball cricket in almost two years.
-
World Test ChampionshipTravis Head hits quickfire 60 to give Australia momentum in WTC against India
Head was at his counter-punching best, reeling off 10 boundaries in 75 balls to push the pressure back on to the Indian attack.
-
Women's CricketEngland captain Heather Knight sets sights on landmark summer of Ashes cricket
Giant images of Knight and Stokes were beamed on to one of London’s best known sights as part of the countdown to the men’s and women’s series.
-
World Test ChampionshipDavid Warner out for 43 just before lunch on day one of World Test Championship
Australia reached 73 for two against India by the first interval at the Kia Oval.
-
The AshesMoeen Ali agrees to come out of retirement to join England’s Ashes squad
He has 64 Test caps, 195 wickets and the small matter of five Test centuries.