NZ vs ENG: “If You Want Most Out Of Ben Stokes The Batsman, You Need Him To Open The Batting” – Robin Uthappa

Former India National Cricket Team player Robin Uthappa believes that England should allow Ben Stokes to open the innings in T20Is if they want to get the best out of the all-rounder.

The 31-year-old Ben Stokes is regarded as one of the finest all-rounders in the world. However, his numbers in T20I cricket are not at all impressive. In 41 T20Is, he has scored 533 runs at an average of 19.74 and a strike rate of 130.63. With the ball, he has bagged just 25 wickets at an average of 32.24, an economy of 8.39, and a strike rate of 23.0.

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During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out, Robin Uthappa was asked about Ben Stokes’ current value in T20 cricket. He responded:

“I think it’s being questioned right now simply because of how rich the resources are with the English team at this point in time. If you want the most out of Ben Stokes the batsman, you need him to open the batting. 

“It happened at Rajasthan Royals, you could see how he utilised the first six overs. I don’t think his techniques and biomechanics allow him to be the best finisher in T20 cricket. But definitely as an opening batter, he utilises the first six overs exceptionally well.

“Everyone knows about his blowing prowess, but as a batter, you want to use him at the top. Especially in that first six overs.”

He’s a little bit lost in this England side – Tom Moody on Ben Stokes

During the same discussion, former Australia National Cricket Team all-rounder Tom Moody said that T20 cricket is Ben Stokes’ weakest format. He said:

“As the cricketer, he is a world-class superstar but the reality is this format [ T20s] is his weakest format. In T20 International cricket I think he averages the mid-20s with a strike rate of high 120s. So we are not talking the same numbers as we talking a lot of people he’s competing with regards to middle-order impact players.”

Moody further talked about Stokes’ bowling in T20Is and said:

“His bowling is also an interesting one. Where does he fit as the bowler? You can use him with the new ball, but England are spoiled for riches with the new ball. They don’t really need him with the new ball even though they use him there. He’s not a death bowler, so again where does he fit?”

He added that the England red-ball captain is “a little bit lost” in England playing XI and he finds “himself in no man’s land”. He stated:

“According to me, he’s a little bit lost in this England side purely because of the quality they boast. They’ve got a number of outstanding all-rounders – Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran. Because of the balance of their side, he finds himself in no man’s land with bat and ball.”

Also Read: IPL 2023: England Captain Ben Stokes Likely To Enter IPL 2023 Auction – Reports