Ben Stokes is set to be named as the new captain of the England Test side, according to reports.
Stoke will take over the reins from the outgoing Joe Root, and his appointment could be confirmed as early as this week.
The new managing director of English cricket, Rob Key, has reportedly ratified the decision to appoint Stokes. Key himself is also set to be unveiled in his position towards the end of this week.
It is hoped that Ben Stokes as England captain will provide the necessary inspirational leadership for the team, after what was a disappointing end to Joe Root’s tenure as captain. Defeat against the West Indies earlier this year followed a capitulation in the recent Ashes series.
Stokes’ expected appointment as captain comes as little surprise. That is because there are currently no obvious candidates who also are a regular fixture in the England Test team.
Stokes looking to bring Anderson and Broad back into the fold
Stokes’ first major decision as England captain appears to be wanting to recall James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
The veteran pair of quick bowlers were rotated for the Ashes series, before being surprisingly dumped from the England squad for the tour of the Caribbean.
Previous captain Root received some criticism from fans for suggesting that England should have no regrets over dropping the fast bowling pair, despite their contributions to huge levels of success under his captaincy.
Anderson is approaching his 40th birthday in July. Yet Stokes looks as though he wished to call upon his vast experience. Anderson’s career has seen him become England’s leading wicket taker, with 640 victims in 169 Test matches.
Broad, meanwhile, is a younger veteran. He turns 36 this year. So far he has claimed 537 wickets in 152 Tests.
Test legends axed for new leadership
Sir Andrew Strauss, the then interim director of English cricket, said at the time that the omissions of Anderson and Broad were allowed in order for other leaders to emerge. That was despite heavy criticism over the decision from fans.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Broad admitted to being “confused and angry” when the news broke, and said it had “hit me pretty hard”. He also reminded everyone that he had 11 wickets in the final two Ashes Tests in Australia.
Anderson, meanwhile, said that he was “praying” that his England career was not over yet.
If the pair are recalled by Stokes as captain, they could feature in the first Test series of this summer against New Zealand. The three-match contest begins at Lord’s on June 2.
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