Alastair Cook Praises the Return of Ben Stokes for England's Success
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New Delhi, Nov 30 (NationPress) In England's first innings total of 499, captain Ben Stokes returned to his run-scoring form, achieving an impressive score of 80—his highest in Test cricket since the 2023 home summer.
Former captain Alastair Cook expressed his appreciation for Stokes' performance at Christchurch, noting that it represented the player everyone is familiar with and the version that England desperately requires following a disappointing series loss to Pakistan.
"In Pakistan, we didn't see the best of Ben Stokes. We learned the reason behind it, which must have been an absolute nightmare due to the situation at home. However, his captaincy was rather uncharacteristic—very passive with set fields that he failed to adjust," Cook commented.
"Today, we witnessed the Ben Stokes we admire and this England team needs, particularly with the bat—he was quite aggressive from the outset. His celebrations and passion make him the heartbeat of the side. None of that was evident in Pakistan, but it's impressive as a captain. Whatever you undertake, you are always scrutinized, and England needs him to be at his best."
"He was completely engaged, which was not the case in Pakistan, so that's a significant advantage, and naturally, his runs are crucial. It’s great to see him scoring because England requires it. His average has dropped to 25 over the last 24 innings. We know his capabilities. What does England need? We need Ben Stokes firing," Cook stated on TNT Sports.
Similar sentiments were echoed by former fast bowler Steven Finn, who observed that Stokes was energetic during the second innings. "He bowled effectively as well. He was a bit rusty in the initial phase but in the second innings, he charged in and struck a few batters on the shoulder, challenging them with bounce," Finn noted.
"Combined with his batting and captaincy, he is a key player. He is remarkably empathetic as a leader, which is uncommon, and it stems from his dual role in batting and bowling, alongside his personal struggles away from cricket. These experiences have shaped him into the empathetic and open leader he is today."
"Typically, a captain would avoid the spotlight following a series like the one in Pakistan and not address the criticisms. Yet, he stepped forward and explained, 'these are the reasons for my behavior, I apologize to my teammates, and you will see a better version of me in New Zealand'.
"His presence is vital for England. It’s commendable that he has opted out of the IPL and is fully dedicated to Test cricket. A fit, focused, and in-form Ben Stokes will be the key to leading England to an away Ashes victory next year," he concluded.
