London, UK — England’s director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, has stated that it would be “stupid” not to consider Ben Stokes as a potential captain for England’s white-ball teams.
This comes in the wake of Jos Buttler’s resignation following England’s early exit at the ICC Champions Trophy.
With the search for new leadership in both the one-day international (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) formats underway, Stokes has emerged as a leading candidate despite his absence from white-ball cricket since the 2023 50-over World Cup.
Key emphasized the importance of evaluating every option to ensure the best outcome for the team. “Nothing is off the table,” he said.
“You look at every single option and think, ‘What is the best thing to do?’ Ben Stokes is one of the best captains I’ve ever seen. It would be stupid not to look at him. It’s just the knock-on effect of what that means.”
Stokes, 33, has been at the helm of England’s Test side since 2022 and has earned widespread praise for his leadership style, which has been credited with revitalizing the team’s red-ball fortunes.
However, his potential return to white-ball captaincy raises questions about workload management, particularly as he recovers from a recent hamstring operation.
Currently, Stokes is training with a group of England Lions players in Abu Dhabi, focusing on his recovery. Key provided an optimistic update on the all-rounder’s progress, stating that Stokes is “flying” and “on track to start the summer in a full role, bowling and batting.”
The prospect of a fully fit Stokes leading the white-ball sides would undoubtedly be a significant boost for England as they look to rebuild after a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign.
The possibility of different captains for England’s Test, ODI, and T20 teams has also been floated by head coach Brendon McCullum.
Speaking after England’s loss to South Africa in their final Champions Trophy match, McCullum did not rule out the idea of having separate leaders for each format.
Such a move would not be unprecedented, with other leading cricket nations having adopted a similar approach to manage player workloads and tactical demands effectively.
Stokes’ leadership credentials were cemented during England’s remarkable victory at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and have only been enhanced by his tenure as Test captain.
His aggressive and fearless approach has resonated with fans and players alike, making him a natural contender for the white-ball captaincy.
However, balancing the demands of all three formats could prove challenging, particularly with a busy international calendar looming.
With England set to begin a new era in white-ball cricket, the decision on the captaincy is expected to be made soon.
Should Stokes take on the role, it would mark a significant shift in England’s approach to leadership, potentially uniting the Test and white-ball teams under one captain for the first time in years.
As discussions continue behind closed doors, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly awaiting the announcement of England’s new white-ball captain — a decision that could shape the team’s fortunes for years to come.
