After working hard to restore his reputation after a nightly fight in Bristol, Ben Stokes broke Australian hearts in Headingley during last year’s Ashes.
The redemption of the superstar England all-rounder is now complete. Stokes will captain his country in the first test against the West Indies on July 8.
Joe Root is likely to miss the game to attend the birth of his second child, which gives Stokes, the once bad boy of the World Cricket who became a World Cup and Ash hero, his chance to become a captain.
“Having the opportunity to conquer England is a great honor. Even if it’s only once, you can say that you commanded England, ”Stokes said overnight.
“I look forward to the opportunity. But I also know that because of Joe’s personal situation, I only step in to take over the reins. “
Stokes lost the vice-captain of England and had to flee to New Zealand in 2018, where he was born after the nightly fight in Bristol raised charges of affront.
He was eventually found not guilty, but not before the case made headlines worldwide.
Stokes has changed his life and career since the incident and helped England win the World Cup last year with his super-over exploits.
Then he single-handedly won the third ash test at Headingley with a breathtaking last day hundred that saved England from 9 to 286 and smashed eleven fours and eight sixes with Jack Leach in a 76-run wicket booth.
A win there would have meant that Australia would have kept the ashes, which tourists had done during the next test in Manchester.
Stokes said that he had worked hard to save himself, and although he never sought to become captain England, he said he would “show commitment and demeanor”.
“Afterwards (in Bristol) it was: ‘Right, what should I do from this point? How should I wear and behave? ‘I am quite proud to say that I am in this situation through hard work and determination. It wasn’t a coincidence, ”he said.
“I don’t usually like to talk about myself that way, but in retrospect I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do since this incident. It was through full commitment and hard work for the job I do.
“I never set myself the goal of becoming a captain. I always try to give an example of commitment and attitude. When it comes to what to do in a situation, it will always be a positive path. “
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