Ben Stokes

[ClaretTony]

Just confirmed as the new England captain

[AfloatinClaret]

Not the man for the job in IMO, but sadly I can't suggest an alternative; a re-run of Botham's tenure to look forward to?

[tiger76]

Sadly there is few if any other options available, however my biggest concern is Ben Stokes fitness more than anything.

The only other viable alternative at the present moment was probably Bairstow, unless they were prepared to give it to either Anderson or Broad short term, all the other players in the squad are too inexperienced, and many of them aren't even yet established as test players yet.

TBF with that batting line-up anyone will struggle as skipper. I fear it's going to be a long summer for England cricket fans.

[ClaretTony]

I'm surprised it's Stokes but there really aren't any alternatives.

I picked up yesterday that we've only won one of the last seventeen test matches. Thank goodness there are some changes,

[The Enclosure]

Poor choice in my opinion. Not many alternatives but I would have given it to Broad or Jimmy.

[ClaretTony]

Poor choice in my opinion. Not many alternatives but I would have given it to Broad or Jimmy.

Are either of those two even going to play?

[tiger76]

I'm surprised it's Stokes but there really aren't any alternatives.

I picked up yesterday that we've only won one of the last seventeen test matches. Thank goodness there are some changes,

Yes a nice easy summer for Stokes, with India, New Zealand and South Africa ahead, good luck Ben because I think you'll need it.

It'll be a big rebuilding process, and patience will be required for England to blood some youngsters, before we become remotely competitive on the international stage again.

It 's not just the amount of defeats, it's also the scale of many of those defeats, several have been by an innings, and that's the real worry, England are light years behind teams such as Australia, India, New Zealand, and even the West Indies convincingly beat us in the 3rd test with the series on the line.

This is a team that doesn't know how to win, and when they do get into a position to push for victory caution takes hold, and they opt to play safe.

[Vino blanco]

I'm not a fan of giving the captaincy to a 'star' player like Stokes. I'ts a rebuilding period so I would have given it to Broad for the whole summer.

[Tribesmen]

Got a feeling this may be too much for him

[bobinho]

I think stokes should’ve been left alone tbh…. There may not be a big queue of possibilities, but giving it to a lad who clearly needs to be concentrating on himself is a little naive I believe.

[TheFamilyCat]

Shows what a sorry state we're on when there's really only one viable option to be captain and that one is far from ideal.

[The Enclosure]

Are either of those two even going to play?

Well if they don't Tony the selectors are crackers in my opinion.They have so much experience between them that they can pass on to the you ger players plus they are still pretty good bowlers.

[tiger76]

Key and Stokes want Anderson and Broad back in the fold, a very wise move in my view., especially in English conditions.

[jdrobbo]

The only alternative. Our whole test setup and selection process, including contracts, needs completely reviewing. This is the problem; not county cricket.

[Aclaret]

Good luck Ben....you're going to need it !

[LeadBelly]

Yeah- good luck to Ben. We dont have a strong set of Test players available (or a great management team) at the moment and that makes the skipper's job very difficult. I think he's matured quite a bit in the last couple of years and I hope he has sufficient strength now to make a fist of a very difficult job.
I think Joe Root is the sort of guy to give full support and not mope about losing the captaincy so at least he has one class batsmen to rely on. A few decent bowlers around of course but class batsmen (Root apart) a bit thin on the ground.

[basil6345789]

Doesn't suit the ginger beard

[Andreshotboots]

My only concern with Stokes is that he’s vital in all 3 formats. Being the test captain is a huge responsibility and comes with huge mental pressures.

If he needs resting from some white ball cricket that greatly harms Englands team without a doubt, but something must give somewhere..

[Dark Cloud]

Not the man for the job in IMO, but sadly I can't suggest an alternative; a re-run of Botham's tenure to look forward to?

Have to agree with this. Terrific player, but not necessarily a good "leader". Being captain and taking huge responsibility could easily weigh heavy and stifle his own game. The analogy with Botham may be very prophetic, but then again, I'm honestly not sure who else I'd have gone for as it has to be someone with a cast iron place in the side and no one else really has. Broad or Anderson would have been good if they were younger and certain to play, but it's a bit late for them. Maybe Bairstow was the only other viable possibility. (?)

[GordonvaleClaret]

He'll do a better job than Nobby could have ever done.

[tiger76]

Have to agree with this. Terrific player, but not necessarily a good "leader". Being captain and taking huge responsibility could easily weigh heavy and stifle his own game. The analogy with Botham may be very prophetic, but then again, I'm honestly not sure who else I'd have gone for as it has to be someone with a cast iron place in the side and no one else really has. Broad or Anderson would have been good if they were younger and certain to play, but it's a bit late for them. Maybe Bairstow was the only other viable possibility. (?)

Bairstow will likely be vice-captain I'd imagine, and yes they were the only 2 options available, as neither Anderson or Broad are certain to play every game this summer given the heavy schedule and their age now.

What's important is that Stokes has strong characters around him, if you look back at that victorious 10/11 side in Australia under Cook, there was several guys who he knew could be relied upon to produce when needed, and who also could give stick back to the Aussies, sadly I don't see that in this present bunch.

[Burnley1989]

Probably on my own, I think he will make a great captain

[tiger76]

Probably on my own, I think he will make a great captain

A captain is only as good as his crew, and right now England lack able seamen I'm afraid.

Doesn't matter how great a captain Stokes may prove to be if England keep getting bundled out for low scores.

And it's only Joe Root's stunning form with the bat that has papered over the many cracks in this present England camp.