Ben Stokes interview: Moving on from James Anderson and ‘world’s best keeper’ is right for Ashes
“When it comes to selection stuff, me and Baz came up with a consistent way of delivering a message. It is one of those things as an England team you would love players you have picked to play in that role for their counties but also understanding that counties have their own ways of operating that they feel is best for them to be successful.” The primacy of that Ashes series in English minds re-emerged last week when Stokes had a dig at Australia on X, formerly Twitter, saying his team are “living in their heads’ after last year’s Ashes comeback from 2-0 down to level the series, only to be denied a win by rain. There is always going to be niggle.” ‘The knee is the best it has been for a long time’ One of the crucial changes this week will be the sight of Stokes with ball in hand. When I was braced it was excruciating so it got further and further bent and that is why I found it very hard for sustained periods of time bowling Test match lengths but now I don’t have to worry about that.” Without Anderson and Broad, Stokes will naturally have to bowl more. Giving people game time now will hopefully put us in a strong position to go to Australia and win the urn back.” Even Anderson will admit that is the main thing.
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