England Cricket: Ben Stokes vows to bring back James Anderson & Stuart Broad after their exile, says ‘They will be selected if fit’– England’s all-time leading Test wicket takers James Anderson and Stuart Broad will always be named in the playing 11 if the two fast bowlers are fit, new Test captain Ben Stokes said on Tuesday as he looks to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. FolloW more Updates with InsideSport.IN
All-rounder Stokes was unveiled as England’s captain last week by the country’s cricket board (ECB) as the struggling team look to bounce back from a long slump. Stokes took over from Joe Root who led England in a record 64 Tests.
In a separate interview with Sky Sports, he said Anderson and Broad were two of the greats of the game and it would be “stupid to never consider them for selection”.
Stokes said being named captain was a “huge honour” and that he was looking forward to “very exciting times” as England prepare for the visit of world Test champions New Zealand next month.
England Cricket: Ben Stokes vows to bring back James Anderson & Stuart Broad after their exile, says ‘They will be selected if fit’
“One thing I feel like I’ve got to do is to make sure I get everyone not focusing on the past. We want to turn (things) around and it’s all about the future, what we’ve got ahead of us. If anything, it’s a clean slate,” he added.
“Being a captain is not just about focusing on what goes on between 11 o’clock and 6 o’clock. It’s a job that continues after those hours.
“It’s also not just about controlling things on the field, it’s about building yourself to be someone that your players can always come to… I’ve always felt like I am that person in the team, I hope that doesn’t change now just because I’m captain.”
England have yet to replace Chris Silverwood as head coach, with the position vacant. Stokes said a lot of names have been “thrown around” but confirmed he would be involved when the decision is made on the next appointment.
England Cricket: Ben Stokes vows to bring back James Anderson & Stuart Broad after their exile, says ‘They will be selected if fit’
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