Nikhil_cric
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Ben Stokes does not deserve to play as a pure batter in any format (including Tests)
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agreed... if he is not bowing then no point carry him as a genuine batter... he is a free wicket for most of the bolwers these days.Ben Stokes does not deserve to play as a pure batter in any format (including Tests)
Maybe he will be back on the squad as a surprise. Pulled out from the T20 World Cup but heading to the USA for holidaysFour options England may consider to replace Ben Stokes at T20 World Cup
Ben Stokes sprung a surprise on Tuesday when he announced he would skip this year ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to allow his body to rest and the decision leaves England with some thinking to do as they plot the best way to defend the title they won in Melbourne in 2022.
While trying to find a player that can replicate the big-game heroics of Stokes is a near impossible task, England do at least have some viable replacements they will look at ahead of June’s tournament in the USA and Caribbean.
Here are four options England may consider when finalising their squad for this year’s 20-over showcase.
Add an extra batter to an already strong top-order
Skipper Jos Buttler and the world's No.2 ranked T20I batter Phil Salt appear certainties to feature in England's top-order, while highly-talented youngster Harry Brook is likely to play a part in their title defence despite the fact he hasn't played any cricket this year.
With Stokes missing, it might leave the door open for England to look at one or both of Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan as extra batting options or the highly-rated Will Jacks is another player that could slot in.
Try a like for like and choose another all-rounder
While none have the class that Stokes possesses, England have some good all-rounders in their ranks and can boast at having two players inside the top 10 of the ICC Men's T20I All-Rounder rankings.
They are Liam Livingstone (eighth) and Moeen Ali (ninth) and both players are likely to find their way into England's squad for the 20-over showpiece.
Reigning T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament Sam Curran will also join them, but could another all-rounder come into consideration?
Underrated all-rounder Chris Jordan was born in Barbados and will feel at home during the matches played in the Caribbean and has rarely let England down in the past when he has been slotted into the playing XI.
This was evident in the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne, when Jordan picked up two key Pakistan wickets when playing a key role in England's title success.
Spin to win with an additional spinner
Conditions in the Caribbean and the USA may well suit the slower bowlers and England have a bevy of good spinners at their disposal.
The world's No.1 ranked bowler Adil Rashid will play a crucial role with the ball, while Moeen is quite flexible and can be used during the Powerplay and at the death.
Livingstone and Jacks - if selected - can also provide some spinning options, but could England include another specialist spinner in their final squad?
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed impressed when collecting six wickets from four appearances during England's series against the West Indies towards the end of last year and selectors have not been afraid of throwing the teenager into the deep end in the past.
All out pace assault
Barbados-born quick Jofra Archer will lead England’s pace attack at the T20 World Cup if fit, while the likes of Reece Topley and Chris Woakes are sure to play a part alongside the plethora of decent bowling all-rounder options.
Another possibility England may consider is going with an extra fast bowling option and including either or both of Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson in their final squad of 15.
Wood claimed nine wickets from four matches at the most recent T20 World Cup in Australia, while Atkinson impressed against New Zealand last year when collecting a four-wicket haul on T20I debut in Manchester.
ICC
Yes but stokes is pretty much done now. He is a has been in whiteball. People are a bit too nostalgic thanks to his 2019 and 2022 exploits but by 2023 wc it was clear he was more or less finished as a whiteball player.I think England could use an all rounder like him for Champions Trophy. England don't have any fast bowling all rounders.
Which team has a fast bowling allrounder apart from maybe India.I think England could use an all rounder like him for Champions Trophy. England don't have any fast bowling all rounders.
He's still 2X better than any all rounder England have in white ball.Yes but stokes is pretty much done now. He is a has been in whiteball. People are a bit too nostalgic thanks to his 2019 and 2022 exploits but by 2023 wc it was clear he was more or less finished as a whiteball player.
So is root. England really need to stop having their test players come back for one off odi tournaments. It back fired massively for England last time and has frequently back fired for multiple other teams. For example it backfired for pakistan when they brought yk back one last time in 2015,
And it will 100% Backfire for India as without Bumrah, rohit and kohli ensure India is only playing with 4 batsmen
A 4th pacer is very useful. Specially on pitches and matches where your spinners are getting tapped. Not to mention in death overs usually pacers go for less economy than spinners. That's another factor which comes to play in big tournaments.Which team has a fast bowling allrounder apart from maybe India.
Omarzai is rubbish with the ball, Stoinis is rubbish with the bat. Rest of the teams don't have anyone even pretending to be a seam allrounder.
Even Hardik as seam allrounder is hit and miss and is injury prone.
Lol because England don't have any other allrounder atmHe's still 2X better than any all rounder England have in white ball.
Theirs a difference between best allrounder and only allrounder.To maine kya bola?
@mominsaigolHe's still 2X better than any all rounder England have in white ball.
The better question is, is their even another allrounder@mominsaigol
Who is even near Stokes as All Rounder in England white ball setup right now? In their CT25 squad?
That's just being ignorant. A good all rounder is always handy to have. There's no guarantee you win it but it provides you with team balance.The better question is, is their even another allrounder.
you don't need an allrounder in your team ro succeed. I have no issues with stokes but both stokes and root will cost England for the 2nd time.
We'll see, he still finished his wc 2023 campaign with a 50+ avg so I don't mind.That's just being ignorant. A good all rounder is always handy to have. There's no guarantee you win it but it provides you with team balance.
Pakistan ODI team would be so much more balanced if they can have a pace all rounder at no. 7. Someone that can bowl and bat.
You don't need your 4th pacer to bowl 10 overs. But it's useful to have that option. It balances the side more.We'll see, he still finished his wc 2023 campaign with a 50+ avg so I don't mind.
But he hardly bowls now adays or if ever.
Hmm, actually I agree with you now. Fair points.You don't need your 4th pacer to bowl 10 overs. But it's useful to have that option. It balances the side more.
That's just being ignorant. A good all rounder is always handy to have. There's no guarantee you win it but it provides you with team balance.
Pakistan ODI team would be so much more balanced if they can have a pace all rounder at no. 7. Someone that can bowl and bat.