England captain Ben Stokes has expressed his confidence in the future of Test cricket as he prepares to lead his side in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.
Stokes, who has been a vocal advocate for the longest format of the game, acknowledges the rapid changes in cricket but believes both T20 and Test cricket can coexist successfully.
He highlighted the positive impact of T20 cricket in attracting new fans and players to the game and emphasized the importance of T20 in enhancing the appeal of Test cricket. Stokes also acknowledged the excitement for the Ashes series and the potential for high-scoring matches, believing that anything is possible with the right mindset and support.
Under the leadership of Stokes and the influence of head coach Brendon McCullum, England have adopted an aggressive approach to Test cricket, known as ‘Bazball’ after McCullum’s nickname. Since Stokes and McCullum took over last year, the team has won 10 out of 12 matches. He has challenged conventional Test thinking by posting impressive scores, such as his 506-4 on day one in Rawalpindi during Pakistan’s series win.
Stokes also spoke about his preparation for the upcoming Ashes series, revealing that he has spent time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Chennai Super Kings. Although he had limited game time, Stokes found his work worthwhile to work on his batting and manage his workload. He highlighted the importance of making sure his knee is in good shape, allowing him to play a full role with both bat and ball against Australia.
