Not Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler Should Captain England: Kevin Pietersen

Regular English Test captain Joe Root might miss the first Test against the West Indies with Ben Stokes likely to stand-in for the role. However, England legend Kevin Pietersen is not convinced with Ben Stokes taking the role and wants wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler to don the captain’s hat instead.

Joe Root is doubtful for the series opener as his wife is due to give birth to their second child. The three-Test series starts on July 8 in Southampton followed by the second match on July 16 and final match on July 24. The final-two Test will be played in Manchester.

Not Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler Should Lead England Against West Indies: Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen believes Ben Stokes carries the mantle of the side and his game would be effected with the captaincy role. Thus, he wants Jos Buttler to fill in the boots of Joe Root instead. Pietersen, from his experience also added, captaincy changes the responsibility for the players and the way one carries in the dressing room.

“Do I want to see Ben Stokes change from who he is and the current player he is? Probably not, Jos Buttler would be my guy,” Pietersen told talkSPORT.

“The entertainers and the guys that have to carry the mantle in the team sometimes aren’t the best captains and sometimes struggle with the extra added pressure.

“As a player you are looked at completely differently until that phone call comes and you are announced as the Test captain. Responsibilities change, communication changes, the way in which you carry yourself in the dressing room changes,” he added.

In a major boost for cricket, the touring West Indies party have departed from Antigua, and will arrive in England later today.