AUS vs ENG: Ben Stokes Can Take Inspiration From England's Successful T20 World Cup Campaign - Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell, a former captain of Australia, believes Ben Stokes, the Test captain, can learn a lot from his game-winning exploits in the T20 World Cup. 

In the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan, Stokes once again demonstrated his talent for winning important matches with a valiant undefeated half-century. His innings in the Ashes Test that year and the 2019 ODI World Cup final have gone down in cricket lore. 

Ian Chappell Lauds Ben Stokes

Chappell discussed what Ben Stokes, the captain and batsman, can take away from his recent T20 triumph in his ESPNcricinfo piece. 

“Stokes has an enviable record of performing at his best when the stakes are highest. He has done it in crucial Tests and one-day matches and now he has achieved that remarkable feat in T20 cricket. It’s no wonder England captain Jos Buttler demanded his presence in the World Cup squad. 

“Typical Stokes – he was biding his time in the round-robin games until it came to the must-win match against Sri Lanka,” Chappell wrote. 

England Need Ben Stokes Playing Well: Ian Chappel

After England’s protracted losing streak, Ben Stokes was promoted to Test captain earlier this year at the expense of Joe Root. The southpaw and his coach, Brendon McCullum, were able to quickly turn things around for the Test team. 

“Having achieved wonders in his debut season as Test captain despite playing some reckless innings, this knock should convince Stokes that at times he needs to bat with a little more caution in the longer format. England need Stokes playing well and contributing his best when it matters most,” the Australian stated. 

“The fact that Buttler pushed for Stokes’ presence in the T20 squad despite the allrounder’s rare appearances in the format speaks highly of the captain’s short-form knowledge. 

“Buttler displays much T20 expertise and the one-on-one sessions in which he talked with England players about their role further enhanced those leadership qualities.” 

No Place For Jos Buttler In Test Side: Ian Chappel

Jos Buttler, England’s limited-overs captain, doesn’t, in Chappell’s opinion, merit a spot in the Test team. Earlier this year, during the Ashes, Buttler played his final Test. 

“Despite Buttler’s T20 success, he is an enigma in Test cricket. He is a valuable T20 keeper in addition to being a match-winning batter, but on recent form, there’s no place for him in the Test side. 

“He’s not a Test keeper, and you can’t play him as a batter because, in addition to being unsure of himself, he’s a dubious proposition when there are slips in place. 

“Buttler’s batting dilemma gives credence to what former Australian captain Mark Taylor believes – that the short forms of the game, unlike the Test version, dictate how you play. This is particularly so in T20 cricket, where the game demands a sure-minded batter right from the off, which suits Buttler.”  

England Need To Rethink Their Test Policy On Spin: Ian Chappell

Returning to Stokes, Chappell believes the Test team’s spin strategy needs to be reviewed. Moeen Ali and the top leg-spinner Adil Rashid don’t participate in Test matches. 

“The other major item on his agenda is spin bowling. England need to rethink their Test policy on spin and search for a bowler who can dismiss batters on good pitches. In short-form games, spin bowlers can lure batters into committing cricketing suicide, which is a valuable skill. 

“However, that is rarely viable in Tests and having a spinner play a holding role also has limited value in the longer game. 

“Stokes is evolving as a captain and has also produced enough magical performances in the heat of battle to be considered a miracle worker by his teammates. 

“This is invaluable for a captain. Being a smart cricketer, Stokes can now advance his Test leadership by shrewdly assessing those aspects of a successful T20 World Cup campaign that attracted his attention,” Chappell added. 

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