Chris Silverwood Backs Ben Stokes To Do A Great Job As Captain

Chris Silverwood, England head coach, has backed superstar all-rounder Ben Stokes for the leadership role, adding that the Durham all-rounder will make for a good leader in the absence of regular Test captain Joe Root.

Stokes will captain the team in the first Test against the West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton after Joe Root pulled out from the series opener due to the birth of his second child.

“I think he will do a great job. He is a talisman, isn’t he? He leads from the front anyway. He is conscious of the people around him as well so I think he will do a great job in Joe Root’s absence,” Chris Silverwood was quoted as saying by ‘The Guardian’.

Stokes has never led a team at First-Class level but Silverwood reckons that the all-rounder will make for a good leader, adding that he has a good brain as well.

“We know he has got an aggressive nature but equally there is a good cricket brain in there as well. I think he will be quite vocal about what moves he is making out there,” Silverwood added.

Also Read: There Is No One Better Than Ben Stokes To Step In For Joe Root As A Short-Term Captain: Nasser Hussain

Chris Silverwood looking forward to working with Ben Stokes

Silverwood added that he is looking forward to working with Ben Stokes, saying that he does not have any qualms about the Durham all-rounder’s lack of experience as a leader.

“I’m looking forward to working with him from a coaching point of view. I will extend him the same courtesies I do Rooty. He will have a lot of say in what is going on and he will play a big part in giving his opinions across selection as well,” he said.

“He’s been Rooty’s right-hand man for a while now. I know Rooty does turn to him a lot. He’s been involved in a lot of talks we have behind the scenes,” Silverwood added.

Silverwood also reveled that wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will serve as Stokes’ deputy. The first Test between England and West Indies will start from July 08 at the bio-secure Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Also Read: Ben Stokes ‘Honoured’ On Getting Opportunity To Captain England