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The Return of Joe Root
The landscape of English Test cricket has shifted once more with the reappointment of Joe Root to the captaincy. However, for former captain Ben Stokes, the transition brings a mix of support and genuine apprehension. In a recent appearance on the For The Love Of Cricket podcast, Stokes addressed the news with a blend of professional respect and deep personal concern, noting that Stokes on Root resuming England captaincy: ‘My only worry is Joe’ remains his primary sentiment regarding the leadership change.
Root, who stepped down from the role four years ago, previously described his experience as having a ‘very unhealthy relationship’ with the captaincy, a situation exacerbated by the restrictive environment of the Covid-19 pandemic. Stokes, having witnessed his friend’s struggle firsthand, is anxious that the selfless nature which defines Root might once again lead to burnout.
The Coaching Dynamic and Future Leadership
The appointment of Stephen Fleming as the new Test head coach is seen by many, including Stokes, as a positive step. Having worked under Fleming at Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant, Stokes believes the 53-year-old possesses the temperament to support Root effectively. Yet, the conversation quickly turned to the oversight of Harry Brook, the designated vice-captain who was bypassed for the top position.
Stokes expressed confusion regarding the management’s decision to overlook Brook. ‘If you think someone’s going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give it to them,’ Stokes remarked, questioning the message being sent to a player who was officially named as his deputy. While the ECB cited timing as a factor, Stokes remains unconvinced that waiting was the correct tactical or psychological move for the young talent.
Addressing the Culture of Cricket
Beyond the captaincy, the discussion navigated the broader culture of English cricket, specifically its historical relationship with alcohol. Following controversies involving player conduct, Stokes pushed back against the narrative that the team specifically suffers from a ‘drinking culture.’ Instead, he argued that the sport of cricket itself has long held a deep-rooted association with alcohol that has failed to evolve alongside the professionalization of the game.
‘Cricket has just a drinking culture and it hasn’t changed,’ Stokes observed. He noted that while medical, nutritional, and tactical sciences have advanced rapidly, the social habits embedded within the sport have remained static since the 1980s. Stokes admitted to his own past challenges with this environment, emphasizing that the sport needs to reckon with these ingrained behaviors as it continues to modernize.
Stokes Looks Toward Coaching
With his own playing days in the Test arena behind him, Stokes is already looking toward the next chapter of his career. He has been actively pursuing his ECB Level Three coaching badge over the past 18 months, balancing the coursework with his commitments at Durham. While he harbors a clear ambition to eventually coach the England side, he remains grounded about whether such an opportunity will materialize.
Regarding his own retirement, Stokes reiterated that there will be no reversal. Driven by the physical toll of his fifteen-year career and a series of injuries, he realized that his capacity to perform at the highest level was dwindling. Ultimately, he concluded that he was comfortable stepping away, stating, ‘If I’m going to play for England, it’s going to be as captain.’ With that role now filled by Root, Stokes is content to transition into the next phase of his life in cricket.