Rob Key, England men’s managing director, has revealed that all-rounder Ben Stokes is open to taking on the role of the team’s white-ball captain. While Stokes has not yet been formally offered the position, he has not ruled out the possibility.
Stokes, who currently serves as England’s Test captain, has not played a white-ball match since the 2023 ODI World Cup. His recent years have been marred by injuries, leading to extended periods of recovery and rehabilitation.
Due to his injury-prone nature, Stokes has prioritized Test cricket for England. Alongside Brendon McCullum, he has been instrumental in introducing the innovative ‘Bazball’ style of play into England’s Test setup.
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Ben Stokes Open to England’s White-Ball Captaincy: Rob Key
Rob Key reportedly discussed the idea of white-ball captaincy with Ben Stokes during a training camp in Abu Dhabi, where Stokes was recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained late last year.
When asked on BBC Radio 5 about Stokes’ response to being considered for the role, Key clarified that he had not officially offered the captaincy but had received a positive reaction from the all-rounder.
“I haven’t really spoken to him about it, to be honest. I just mentioned it to him the other day after a roundtable interview with journalists, saying, ‘Oh, by the way, I’ve just mentioned you’re in consideration for the white-ball role,’” Key explained.
“He responded with a thumbs-up emoji, as if to say, ‘OK’—not that I’ve offered him the role, but that’s the kind of casual conversation we have,” the ECB managing director added.
“I’m Going to Think Pretty Hard” – Rob Key
Key emphasized that while Stokes is a strong contender, no decision has been made. He believes Stokes needs time to fully recover and assess his future in 50-over cricket before any commitments are made.
“I’m going to think pretty hard, along with others, over the next few weeks to determine the best course of action,” Key said.
“It’s an interesting situation with Stokes and whether 50-over cricket is the right fit for him. He’s currently in Abu Dhabi working on his fitness, but there’s always a risk involved,” he added.
Jos Buttler’s Disappointing End as Captain
Jos Buttler stepped down as England’s white-ball captain following the team’s poor performance in the recent Champions Trophy. England’s losses, including a defeat to Afghanistan, led to their failure to qualify for the semi-finals.
Buttler’s resignation has left the captaincy role vacant. Alongside Stokes, vice-captain Harry Brook is also a potential candidate, though his relative inexperience raises questions about his ability to handle the responsibility.
