Ben Stokes' first week as England captain ahead of Black Caps test

Publish Date
Thursday, 2 June 2022, 1:21PM

By Nick Hoult

Ben Stokes' message to his England players this week has been simple - ignore the noise, the pundits and those offering well-meaning advice. The only thing that matters is what is said in the dressing room.

His first week on active service as test captain has so far been about setting the mood, treating players like grown ups and lifting the gloom after two poor years. Play with freedom and not fearing failure were the basic themes of his team talk and very reminiscent of the approach taken by Eoin Morgan when he set about restructuring the one-day side.

Nets were optional on Wednesday, players told to only come in if they felt it necessary rather than doing it for show in front of the new captain and head coach.

Brendon McCullum has stood back at nets, allowing the batting and bowling coaches to take training; the new head honcho concentrating on chats behind closed doors, motivating and making it clear to the players they have his backing if they fail playing the way he wants them to.

It is so relaxed Stokes joked they may need to employ someone to "take notes" for them, with neither captain nor coach keen on the details.

McCullum has made them feel "10 feet tall" said Stokes. "He has pretty much done everything he said he would – he hasn't thrown one ball yet."

Stokes insisted this is an "utterly blank canvas" and a new start but not a reset. "I don't like that word," he suggested. But in a week dominated by ticket prices and the affordability of test cricket at Lord's, Stokes knows his team have to put on a performance.

They have been decisive in selection, picking Matthew Potts for a debut and telling him 48 hours in advance so he could come to terms with the occasion this week. Ollie Pope was shadow batting on the test pitch on Wednesday, preparing mentally for his new job at No 3, his backbone stiffened by a very public show of support from captain and coach. And while the scoreboard operators at Lord's may have less confidence in Zak Crawley, having him out for four and England seven for one as they ran through their pre-match tests, he too knows he has the backing to play his natural game.

They were two young players emblematic of the unfulfilled potential of the Joe Root years, and the decision to bat Pope at three epitomises the trust-your-gut feel of McCullum and Stokes partnership who see talent and back their judgement. "I just hope that under mine and Baz's laidback and go-and-express-yourself way that the world will get to see what Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope are all about," said Stokes.

As he sat in the ECB boardroom on Wednesday, leaning back in his chair, shoes off, and joking about chilling out by playing on his PlayStation, Stokes did not look like a man who has taken on the toughest job in English cricket - not yet anyway.

"I've played 80 games now, everyone knows what I'm like," he said. "The biggest challenge initially is to just make sure I stay true to myself and how I've operated around the team. Now being captain shouldn't change anything about how the lads feel around me, because I've always felt like I've been someone who is just quite easy to talk to."

Stokes insisted he has "no nerves" but he knows this is a grand occasion. Michael Vaughan, in his column elsewhere on these pages, describes that first moment you toss the coin as England captain at Lord's as being the "best day of your life." Stokes's mother Deborah has flown in from New Zealand, accompanied by his brother James, a surprise for Ben who had no idea he was making the trip as well until he surprised him in the team hotel this week. The absence of his late father Ged will be felt by the family, and there would be no better way for Stokes to change the narrative this week than scoring a hundred and looking to the heavens, holding up a crooked finger in memory of his dad.

"My family are coming over - wife and kids, mum and brother and my cousin is here as well. So yeah, it's a special week for other reasons than just cricket," said Stokes. "I'm very proud of where I came from, and my heritage and family and all that kind of stuff. But, you know, I've had the England shirt on over 200 times. It's England v New Zealand. In terms of any extra emotions it would be the same if I was doing it against Australia."

Stokes denied Durham bias with Potts but it has helped they have played together this summer. Stokes praised his ability to take wickets on flat pitches in county cricket, and his stamina for bowling long spells. He is strong, with a honed physique and has the "selfless" attitude Stokes wants from his players.

"The one thing that really made my mind up about Potts getting this opportunity in the squad was when he bowled us to victory against Glamorgan – he turned up on day four with a bit of a stiff side and someone in his situation with test selection coming round the corner he could have just sat back and said: 'No I am going to just look after myself here'. But he didn't, he ran in and he won the game for Durham. That's the attitude that sets you at the next level and really makes you open your eyes that this kid is ready. He's been phenomenal – he's an athlete and everything I expect this team to be going forward."

New Zealand are test champions but perhaps a little undercooked, losing last week to a County Select XI. However, they are a well drilled, battle-hardened side that England hope to become under Stokes. That process starts on Thursday.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission

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