England Test captain Ben Stokes discusses cricket’s future with Lord Botham.
Since taking over as England captain at the start of the summer, Stokes has revolutionized the way Test cricket is played, with his swashbuckling, ultra-positive approach contributing to nine wins in ten matches.
During his England career, Lord Botham had a similar all-action approach to the game and is largely regarded as one of the best all-rounders in history. Lord Botham spoke to Stokes about his mission to transform Test cricket, the rise of the white-ball game, and their heroics on BBC Radio 4’s Today program on Monday.
England had won just one of their previous 17 Tests when Stokes took over as captain in April, including a 4-0 thrashing in Australia and a defeat in the West Indies. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was appointed England coach the following month. They have attempted to transform the way Test cricket is played by creating an environment that allows players to express themselves while also providing entertainment that will keep fans coming back.
“Test cricket has been discussed in a way that I don’t like,” says Stokes. With all of the new formats and franchise competitions, it is losing viewers’ attention. We understand that there are other opportunities for players outside of Test cricket. But it’s crucial to the game for me.
Some argue that if you’re playing for England, that should be enough. But there’s a lot more to consider. You expect international cricket to be of top caliber. “But we’ve seen a lot of different squads chosen and guys resting, and that’s not how international cricket should work.”
Botham: “Test match cricket is called that for a very good reason since it tests all the capabilities of a player.” The white ball receives far too much attention. In England, we now have a few first-class games left in early April before the season ends. It should be more balanced. You must make room for everything.
