Ben Stokes is a man for big events and has been one a few times in England. Photo: Getty Images/Martin Keep
Three times England have won the World Cup. On two occasions, at the 2019 One-Day International World Championship and last year's T20 World Championship, Ben Stokes went undefeated in a tight run chase and played the decisive serve in the final. This is the single biggest reason for excitement over the potential return of Stokes to England's World Cup defense.
It's not guaranteed yet. England and Stokes need to make sure he can get through the rigors of the tournament. Turning Stokes back on will require a recalibration of the English side's balance. There are also questions about whether he will be able to bowl at all. Nevertheless, these are pleasant problems for England, so now it will be a surprise if Stokes is not on the plane to India.
A year ago, England selected Stokes for the T20 World Cup in Australia largely out of the belief that in the tournament's highest octane moments they would have reason to be grateful for his temperament and adaptability. These two qualities came together in two intense pursuits.
First, his undefeated 42 goals helped England win 142 matches against Sri Lanka. Then, with England 45-3 chasing a 138 slow wicket in the final, the Stokes 52 led England to victory with an oversleeve. There has been a longstanding debate in sports about the concept of «cohesion» of performers; England has no doubt that if the concept exists, then Stokes is the A's in world cricket today. was a key player in many decisive chases in England. Photo: AFP/Martin Keep
Even without a bandage, his leadership also adds to his appeal; After England's T20 World Cup loss to Ireland last year, Stokes told the team: «Of course it hurts, but we have to park it as soon as we get out of this dressing room. We can't stop there or it will cost us next game.
Why hitting the ball in ODIs can be the Stokes' forte
And yet, Stokes' appeal isn't just based on his performance in previous World Cups. The poise and panache of his shots during the Ashes (when he was in turn England's most defensive batsman and their most dazzling) showed the quality of the shot that Stokes still possesses. Crucially, he went well beyond the initiative-forming 40s that had been his hallmark the previous year: Stokes' 155 at Lord's may have matched his innings at Leeds in 2019, despite to a different result his 80s, having pulled England out of the ruins of 142–147 at Headingley, changed the whole series. Despite all the aura around Stokes, Ashes was a reminder that he simply remains an outstanding cricketer.
Stokes has only played 10 ODIs since the 2019 World Championship final; like many other top cricketers, he needs to get used to the specific rhythms of ODI cricket again. And yet there is a fair argument that ODIs were his best format of all. His ODI average of 39 is three runs higher than his Test average; he scored those runs with a hitting percentage of 95. Playing average order in one-day cricket requires a player with a large range who can change pace according to the conditions and state of the game: precisely the qualities that make Stokes such an astute cricketer.
p>…but could he be a useful bowler for England?
His return would also balance the England team more broadly. Possibly batting at number four, Stokes would also have given England another southpaw in middle order; he does well with left arm rotation and leg rotation.
At this stage, Stokes' bowling abilities are less clear. In a way, it's a moot point: if England pick Stokes, they'll do it as a batsman, and his bowling performance will be a bonus. But if he can even pull back, say, two or three overs per game in the World Cup deciders, it will help England adjust even more to their team.
Can Stokes help England have another successful World Cup later this year? Image Credit & Copyright: AP/Matt Dunham
White-ball sides usually have to make a choice between bowling or playing ball. At last year's T20 World Cup, the abundance of all-round talent in England (Moin Ali, Liam Livingston, Sam Curran and Chris Wookes along with Stokes) allowed them to be both. With all the same players now likely heading to India, as well as Joe Root's useful asset, England can now have the same flexible side, simultaneously overflowing with batting depth and bowling opportunities.
The first choice side, which reads Bairstow, Roy or Malan, Ruth, Stokes, Battler, Brook, Livingston, Wookes, Wood, Archer and Rashid, will have arguably the most dangerous six and seven pairs in the competition, as well as bowling variety . attacks with seven bowling options if Stokes was in shape.
If Stokes does return, it will also have a wider meaning for the world game. At times, ODI, cricket's middle brother, can sit awkwardly between Test and T20. And yet, according to surveys conducted by the players' organization FICA, the ODI World Cup remains the tournament that players value more than anything. Jofra Archer, Kane Williamson and Jasprit Bamra attribute their injury comeback to the tournament; Trent Boult is now a T20 freelancer but has returned to the New Zealand colors with the World Cup approaching.
When Sachin Tendulkar crowned his illustrious career by winning his first ODI World Championship at age 37, he immediately stated it was «the best cricket day of his life.»
Stokes had already experienced it once. His return will be proof that, despite all the allure of franchise leagues, the ODI World Championship remains the most coveted trophy in the game.
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