Ben Stokes is fit and ready to face South Africa on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
Ben Stokes has issued a message to his England team-mates after the shock defeat to Afghanistan left them reeling last week.
Stokes is set to make his first World Cup appearance on Saturday match against South Africa in Mumbai. The match is crucial to England's hopes of defending their crown after losing two of their first three games.
“He’s like the spiritual leader of the group,” head coach Matthew Mott said. «He spoke very well the other day after the game and talked about the need to really assert yourself.»
Mott addressed the group after the 69-run defeat to Afghanistan before Stokes intervened, urging the team to be more aggressive.< /p>
“I said, ‘I’ve got this,’ and just talked it through, talked about the plan for the next few days,” Mott said. “And then Stokesy came along and just reinforced what was a great message, especially for those on the bench who see things a little differently. So I think it went well, it brought us back to being in control of what we can control.
“It puts you in a corner and you have to get out. We know that when we get into that mode and don't get as strong and aggressive, other teams grow out of it. And that was one of Stokesie's most important moments. We're usually the team that dictates terms and unsettles the other team, but for some reason we can't do that.»
Mott admitted England had little confidence and were more “reactive” than assertive.
>
“Heads were down,” he said. “It's like any other dressing room where you have high expectations but you don't perform at your level.
“But we probably lack confidence. That confidence, puff up your chest, go out and really take on the game that this team has been known for for a long period of time. You won't lose your ability overnight, but you may lose confidence.»
Mott noted England's lack of recent form in ODI cricket, with Jos Buttler winning just 10 ODIs and losing 11 since taking over as permanent boss . as captain last year — played a role.
“This happens all the time in sports: As a cheerleader, you try to build that confidence,” Mott said. “There haven't been a lot of 50-over cricketers and some players are really struggling for that rhythm of 50-over cricket.
“We've always been on the sidelines, trying to pull things back. So we need to dominate the first 15 overs whether we bat first or bowl first in the next game.”
If Stokes returns, Harry Brooke, who scored 66 against Afghanistan, could retain his place. This will see England rebalance the team by selecting six quality batsmen and one less all-rounder.
«You have to think about what the right balance is,» Mott said. “Harry hit the ball really well last night.”
With England not training from Monday to Wednesday this week (the first day was devoted to travel and rest days were planned for the next two days), Mott defended the team's approach between matches. He said that, like Brendon McCullum, who was briefly in Mumbai on a business trip on Tuesday, he is keen to relieve the pressure of playing international cricket.
“When you have a defeat like that night , in the first People want to get right back to training and get straight to business. Sometimes this is the worst thing you can do. Our job, and I've heard Brendan say this often, is to take the pressure off the playing group,» Mott said.
«It's not panic stations yet, but it's a long way off. which we were in. hoping for. And now is the time to make a real difference.”
Ten of England's 15-man squad are over 32 years of age. Mott admitted that “loyalty” meant that younger talent was not selected for the squad.
“This is a World Cup cycle and the time for rejuvenation of the team is just around the corner,” he added.
“You're more likely to choose players with a proven track record because you've seen them perform. And there will always be a loyalty factor when players do business.”
Свежие комментарии