Ben Stokes, who has stated that he doesn’t have ambitions of leading England, has supported captain Joe Root as well as coach Chris Silverwood unconditionally ahead of the fourth Ashes test at the SCG.
On a day when Covid’s net seemed to close in ever more tightly, with Silverwood himself testing positive for the virus, and England facing two local net bowlers who had to be withdrawn after their lateral-flow tests returned positive results, Stokes played down suggestions he wanted to make the step up from the vice-captaincy.
He stated, “I never thought I would be a captain.” Joe made that decision. It shouldn’t be forced upon him.
Ben Stokes, right) offered his support for Joe Root (left), to allow him to remain England’s captain.
Stokes supported Chris Silverwood as England’s under-fire coach despite Ashes failure that left the team with a 3-0 deficit and two Tests ahead
Cooky must have felt the exact same. This was what he did all his life: he was certain that his time would come. These conversations have not been had anywhere close to Joe.
Captaincy is about more than just setting up the fields and picking the team. It’s also about making tough decisions. You want to be a captain. Joe Root is somebody I long to play for.
Stokes was a loyal member of the team and has led his nation in one Test against West Indies, when Root was on paternity pay.
It may be why he backed Silverwood unconditionally, as he was in Melbourne already after a family member tested positive for the virus. Another family member also has been diagnosed with the virus.
Stokes was England captain in the 2020 match against West Indies. Root is on paternity leaves
Also, he captained an England-weakened one-day team to a series victory over Pakistan in 2021
Silverwood, however, is most likely to become one of England’s first casualties in the Ashes disaster. Stokes however quickly moved to defend him.
He said, “He is a true players’ coach.” He is there for both players and individual players. Chris and Joe are aware that they have the support and cooperation of all those in that room, and that that is what matters most.
After a period of rest to take care of his mental health, Stokes’s return to international cricket has been less than his normal enthusiasm. He averaged 16 runs with the bat and 62 runs with the ball in his first three Tests.
The Australian No 9 Mitchell Starc has overtaken him in the ICC Test all-rounder ranking.
He described himself as being ‘pretty good’ but admitted that there were times when he was unable to cope with Australia’s cricketers.
Stokes described Stokes’s performance during the Ashes thus far as “pretty average”
Mitchell Starc celebrating taking Stokes’s wicket at Melbourne’s second innings
When I reflect back on the time we spent at Melbourne before play ended, it is with Pat. [Cummins]Und Mitch Starc was bowling. I watched that and thought, “I don’t even know what I would do in order to counteract that.”
“That match was the best I have ever seen. 49,000 people didn’t boo me when I went out.
‘I actually stated to some of them the next morning that it was the first occasion I’ve ever been taken aback at an atmosphere in ground. It was quite special, even though we were the ones receiving it.
Stokes made the comment after England expelled all net-bowlers from practice on Sunday after they learned of positive test results. They continued training, Root taking over throwdown duties at one time.
Stokes celebrating the capture of Alex Carey at the MCG during England’s third defeat.
Australia has new regulations that allow you to be classified as close contact when you spend at least 4 hours in a household setting with a confirmed case.
Cricket Australia said that the bowlers were now fully recovered from Covid and therefore posed no risk to England’s playing team.
They admitted that the bowlers shouldn’t have been permitted in the nets until they had received their results.
England’s international football team went through eight days of Covid testing, and they passed their seventh set on Sunday.
The news came shortly after Adam Hollioake was informed that his former ODI captain had lost all hope of participating in net sessions. This happened because of a close connection, which occurred following his 520-mile road trip from the Gold Coast. Now he is in isolation at the hotel.
Glenn McGrath (an ex-Australian seamer) has passed his test. He is now out of the typical buildup to a game which has changed from pink since Jan 2009 when it raised money for McGrath Foundation after Jane, Jane’s first wife, died of breast cancer.