Last Update on: August 24th, 2023 at 04:10 pm
Former England player Mark Butcher feels that Ben Stokes should take the No.6 batting position for the England team during the ICC World Cup 2023. He also added that people are happy watching Ben Stokes at no.6, which is his usual position.
Ben Stokes has recalled his earlier retirement from ODIs. The England all-rounder is part of the England team in the ICC World Cup 2023. The left-handed batsman had earlier retired from ODI cricket in 2021 to focus on his role of Test captaincy.
Ben Stokes Would Be Ideal For No. 6: Mark Butcher
While speaking to Wisden Cricket, former England batsman Mark Butcher said that if Ben Stokes is part of the playing XI during ICC World Cup 2023, he should take the no.6 batting spot in the team.
“If you have gone to Ben and brought him in the side then that’s his position (No. 6) isn’t it? The guy who has the ability to play through all the gears from 1 to 8. You’re quite happy watching Ben walk out to bat at 90/4 with 30 overs left to bat. If Ben is in the starting XI then he would be ideal for No. 6,” the 51-year-old said.
Butcher, who played 71 Tests for England from 1997 to 2004, also noted that England have too many medium-pace all-rounders in the squad for ICC World Cup 2023.
“One can wonder whether there are too many medium-pace all-rounders in the squad and not enough specialist batters and bowlers of higher pace and do they need as many quicks as they are taking at the moment,” Butcher further said.
Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023: ICC Announces World Cup Warm-up Fixtures; India To Face England, Netherlands
Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, and David Willey are four medium-pace all-rounders in the England squad for the ICC World Cup 2023. England commence their stint in the World Cup with the tournament opener against New Zealand on October 5.
Also Read: England World Cup Schedule 2023: Full Schedule With PDF, Match List, Time Table, Date, Venue, Time
England’s preliminary squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
