Ben Stokes Eyeing to Perform in 2019 World Cup and The Ashes

The last couple of years have been the roller-coaster ride for Ben Stokes in his cricketing career. He came across ban, formal hearings in court and a million-dollar deal in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Unfortunately, he also missed making his name on the Ashes Squad and also lost the vice-captaincy post as well.

However, he made a strong comeback into the team by performing across the formats instantly. He made a significant impact in the series against India, especially, in the first Test when he rattled through India’s defence.

A big year coming up – Ben Stokes

The swashbuckling cricketer wants to focus on the things ahead. He wants England to do well in the upcoming 2019 World Cup and then retain the Ashes Trophy at the end of next year.

He feels the people will take the ICC tournament seriously and notice the efforts put in by the players. Further, he also spoke on adapting to the situations rather than playing his natural game.

“Look, it’s all about looking forward now. We’ve got a huge summer coming up with the Ashes and the World Cup so I’m fully focused on that. Looking at things that went on (in the past) is not the way I like to think about things. It’s all about looking to the future,” Ben Stokes quoted while speaking to BBC.

”Everything you do from here onwards is what people will hopefully remember. That’s what I’m trying to do. As I said it’s a big year coming up, two important things – a World Cup and an Ashes – and with them both being in England it’s really exciting,” he added to his lines.

It was pleasing against India – Ben Stokes

The flamboyant all-rounder furtherly added it is pleasing for him to play reserved against India. He feels playing your natural game doesn’t work always. Stokes feels those scenarios will bring the best out of him.

“It’s being able to adapt to the situation, it wasn’t my natural game (against India) but I felt that was necessary at the time. The pleasing thing is I felt it added an extra part to my game… knowing I can play reserved and play through those tricky times in Test cricket,” he explained.

“It’s just playing to the situation. We’re always getting told ’go out and express yourself, play with freedom’ but sometimes you have to understand the way you need to play with the situation in the game,” he ended.

However, as Ben Stokes said, the upcoming year is going to be special for England. With the 2019 World Cup and the Ashes Trophy being hosted at their home place, it is going to be a cricket festival in England in 2019.