Ben Stokes Opens Up On IPL Participation After Becoming England's Test Captain

Ben Stokes has said that he is determined to give his best for get England’s Test group back to winning ways after he was delegated as the new skipper of the team. Stokes, who was vice-captain under Joe Root and drove the team earlier on a couple of events in the absence of the latter, showed that this might imply that he might decide to try not to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) if necessary.

Stokes had quit the IPL this season, deciding to play County cricket subsequent to persevering through an extreme run with the England Test group. England have lost three out of the last four Test series they have played. The one series wherein they didn’t lose was the incomplete five-Test series against India at home wherein they trail 2-1.

There’s A Lot That Needs To Change: Ben Stokes

He acknowledges turning England’s fortunes around will be intense.

“It is a challenge, especially after the last few years,” the Durham star told Sky Sports at the county’s Riverside Ground on Tuesday.

“There’s a lot that needs to change, not only on the field, and those discussions will be had.”

He demanded that with regards to dealing with his responsibility – including adjusting his job inside the white-ball squad and amazing open doors at the IPL – “Test cricket is my No.1 priority”.

“It’s an exciting time for myself but it is a challenge, especially after how the last few years have been,” Stokes told Sky Sports News. “But for me, it’s not about focusing on what’s gone in the past. It’s all about focusing on what we’ve got going forward and obviously that starts now, and then starts [at Lord’s] on the second of June.”

I’m Not Trying To Be Ian Botham Or Andrew Flintoff: Ben Stokes

There are fears that making Stokes – – who last year had some time off from cricket to “focus on” his psychological well-being – – skipper will over-trouble a player previously bearing a colossal responsibility.

What’s more, a few onlookers have highlighted the fruitless rules of Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff as confirmation of the risks of selecting a star all-rounder as England captain.

Stokes, however, said: “I’ve had to deal with comparisons to Andrew Flintoff and Sir Ian Botham since I was 18 or 19. And I’ve always said I’m not trying to be either of them, I’m just Ben Stokes.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is also set to return to test cricket after a long break. He has missed the last two test series against Bangladesh and South Africa.

Also Read: IPL 2022: ‘To-be Captain Ravindra Jadeja Should’ve Been Involved In Mega-auction: Former CSK All-rounder