Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting feels Ben Stokes is the only player who could spark a resurgence within the England setup as a captain. The two-time World cup winning captain says Stokes is the only player who can take over the mantle from Joe Root.
"I think Stokes would actually grow as a player if he was the captain of that side," Ponting told cricket.com.au.
"The only person that can take over is Ben Stokes,” he said.
"I think with a bit of extra responsibility, he might become an even better player and that might have a good impact on the rest of the team" he added.
"I don't know Ben Stokes that well, but if I was trying to change the face of English cricket and trying to give a bit more of a heartbeat and a bit more soul, then I think he'd be the one that I'd be looking at to lead the team. He further added.”
Ben Stokes is already considered as one of England’s greatest all-rounders ever along with Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff. No one could blame the Three Lions if they were not to give the captaincy to him, considering how his predecessors have performed.
Andrew Flintoff had defined the 2005 Ashes both with the bat and ball. When he led the side in the next Ashes in Australia, Ponting’s side handed England a 5-0 thrashing. Even Ian Botham single-handedly won an Ashes in 1981 after he gave up captaincy mid series.
Root, on the other hand, may soon be axed as England’s captain in the longest format. Trailing 1-2 to India at home and a possible 0-5 whitewash against Australia on cards, the Yorkshire batsman could soon be made the scapegoat for England’s horrific time in red ball cricket.
