Ben Stokes Confident That England Can Defend Their ICC World Cup Title In India

Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes expressed confidence in the Jos Buttler-led team’s chances of defending their title in the ODI World Cup 2023. Ben Stokes emphasized that they are a very good team with experience playing in high-pressure matches.

The England Team is the most dominant team in white-ball cricket at the moment. The Three Lions hold the world champions’ title in both ODIs and T20Is. They have a chance to become the third team, after the West Indies and Australia, to defend the ODI World Cup.

We’re A Very Good Team – Ben Stokes

In a conversation with The Guardian, Ben Stokes emphasized that representing one’s country in crucial games, with billions watching, provides a unique intensity that franchise T20 cricket cannot replicate.

“I don’t think it’s arrogance to say we’re a very good team. We’re in the mix. And what we now have in our favour, I think, is experience of huge games – an edge against sides who don’t play as many,” Stokes told The Guardian.

“I know franchise T20 cricket means a lot more players have been exposed to those situations; it’s great for that. But it doesn’t come close to wearing your country’s shirt, billions watching, knowing if you lose, you’re out,” he added.

Ben Stokes retired from ODI cricket last year but came out of retirement just before the 2023 World Cup. Notably, the left-handed batter won the Player of the Match award in the final of the 2019 edition.

I Was Just Smiling Out – Ben Stokes

Reflecting on the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s, the England Test skipper recalled the intensity of the match and the memorable moments, including Jimmy Neesham’s six during the super over.

“So much time has passed but whenever I rock up to Lord’s I remember that day,” he further added.

“Weirdly, I always think back to the six Jimmy Neesham hit during the super over. I was just smiling out there, thinking ‘100 overs, dead level, down to the wire, all the mad things that have happened, what more can this game throw at us?’ It was ridiculous.”

“That last ball of the match, the run out, everyone charging on to the field … yeah, it was pretty cool. People think I collapsed with emotion but in fact I just slipped. I thought I managed to style it out quite well.”

The Jos Buttler-led team will kick off their World Cup campaign with a match against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. They will then face hosts India in Lucknow on October 29.

Also read: Ben Stokes Talks About Andrew Flintoff’s Role, Says ‘You Can Picture Him As Full-Time Coach