England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has distanced himself from the side’s captaincy role while skipper Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood have been under fire after three consecutive losses in Ashes 2021-22. While several former cricketers from England and Australia have questioned Root’s on-the-field and off-the-field decisions, Stokes has put his weight behind the 31-year-old.
"I've never really had an ambition to be a captain," England’s vice-captain Stokes told the reporters ahead of the fourth Test in Sydney starting January 5.
"Captaincy is more than about setting fields, picking the team, making decisions out there in the middle. A captain is someone you want to go out and play for. Joe Root is someone I always want to play for," Stokes backed Root ahead of Sydney Test starting January 5.
Root will surpass former England skipper Alastair Cook to become the longest-serving captain in the Test format when he takes the field at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Ahead of the milestone Test, Stokes also said that the decision to continue or leave Test captaincy should be his.
"It's totally Joe's decision. He shouldn't be forced into doing it. I'm sure Cooky (Alastair Cook) felt the same way. He did it for so long and when he knew his time was up, his time was up.
"Those discussions haven't entered anywhere near Joe yet. I don't sense that at all with Joe. He's brought this team a long way. He's done some great things. "Obviously this series hasn't gone too well, not from a captaincy point of view, but from a team and results point of view," the 30-year-old said.
Stokes has captained England in just one Test while Root was away for paternity leave during West Indies series. He also captained the limited-overs side against Pakistan on his return when the main squad was isolated after few players tested positive for Covid-19.
So far, Stokes has not been in the best of forms with the bat scoring just 101 runs from six appearances. He has not been effective with the ball too with just four wickets from three Tests. After defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), England will look to register their first win on English soil since 2011.
Stokes also defended coach Silverwood who recently tested positive for Covid-19.
"Unfortunately, the captain and coach bear the scrutiny, but there are 10 other guys out there in the field," said the New Zealand-born all-rounder.
"Chris Silverwood is a real players' coach. He stands up for you as individuals and players as well.
"All the hype in the media recently about their futures, it's your job to write that, but they know full well they have the support of everyone in there and that's all that matters," the all-rounder explained.
