I hope it isn't a 'see how it goes' sort of arrangement, shows uncertainty from either side . However in the absence of any other stand-out candidates maybe they just felt this was worth a go. I'd guess he'll have the team behind him though, they're probably all thinking 'thank god they didn't ask me'!
I was sort of meaning, see how it goes as far as Ben is concerned, and that he can cope with the added responsibility. The last thing we need is for his all-round game to suffer.
I suspect the ECB were hoping Jos Buttler would be the next test captain. Fortunately for English cricket an unfortunately for them he never really cut the mustard at test match level. Stokes is the obvious candidate but like others on here, I just hope it does not ruin his game going forward having to cope with the extra responsibility and the media circus which will scrutinise his every move.
Didn't work when they promoted Botham to skipper, and won't work with Stokes as skipper, when Brearley came in Botham suddenly burst back to life, I'd forego a place purely for a good captain, to get the tactics and decisions right, and let Stokes express himself on the field in the only way he can. Giving him the captaincy is too much.
I agree, I hope he proves us wrong, but I have said for a while, pick a good captain from the county game, as a captain in Cricket is a special skill, and not often do the best players make good captains.
Brilliant cricketer he changed the NZ test side completely as the Captain. Young and forward thinking. Excellent appointment
Think he and Stokes will work well together. Exciting appointment. Shame he's not doing the white ball stuff as well.
Archer out for 12 months with a back injury. He's not been lucky and it's hard to think he'll get his pace back after this.
