MARK BUTCHER
NEW COLUMNIST!
Ben Stokes’ decision to opt out of England’s T20 World Cup defence came as no great surprise after what we saw on the recent tour of India. After the 50-over World Cup it looked very unlikely that he would be able to get his knee ready to play a full part in that Test series, and that proved to be the case.
With Stokes unable to bowl, we saw the difficulties England faced in fielding a balanced XI in India and because of that they went into matches with three or even four spinners, with just one or two seamers, which wasn’t especially satisfactory – particularly when the pitches weren’t quite the raging bunsens they had anticipated.
Stokes still has the ability and desire to be an all-rounder and that is a great thing for the team. The tour of India only made it more pressing in his and the selectors’ minds that they need him bowling in order to field a balanced team in Test matches.
He had to find the time to give himself the opportunity to do that and I think the T20 World Cup was a good window for it to happen because there is a feeling that his best days as a T20 player are behind him, even though in big matches and major competitions you’d like him around whenever possible.
The absence of a player of his quality will always be felt, but it perhaps also gives England a little more clarity. Stokes coming out of retirement ahead of the 50-over World Cup did muddy the waters a bit in that tournament, particularly when it came to Harry Brook’s position in the side. Now they can focus on simply picking the batters they think will be most impactful in this tournament. Yes, it leaves a deficit in terms of experience, but now is the time to move on from 2019 and those past glories, and it clears the way for a little more dynamism. There are some very, very fine players waiting in the wings.
I expect Phil Salt and Will Jacks to play a big part at the World Cup and, looking outside the established group, Jamie Overton is perhaps somebody who could come in as an all-rounder and make a big impact with the bat in the latter stages of an innings – as we saw in The Hundred last summer when he was named the tournament’s MVP – and also bowl a couple of overs.
I think England will find themselves scrambling for a bit of experience in the bowling department.
Adil Rashid will be as important as ever and Rob Key is still optimistic that Jofra Archer can be fit for the World Cup. Tymal Mills will come into consideration,on, and Chris Jordan is another they’ll have in mind because of his experience and his role as a specialist at the death.
Reece Topley is ready to step up as one of the more senior bowlers and Luke Wood has done himself no harm with his performances at the PSL, earning an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians.
The County Championship season i
