Rob Key, England’s cricket managing director, believes it would be unwise not to consider Ben Stokes as the captain for the One Day International (ODI) team. This comes after Jos Buttler stepped down from the role following a disappointing Champions Trophy performance. Key thinks Stokes’s leadership style, similar to his successful approach in Test cricket, could be beneficial for the ODI squad.
This potential change is one of several options Key is exploring to revamp England’s white-ball cricket setup. If Stokes were to become the ODI captain, Harry Brook, the current vice-captain for T20 Internationals (T20I), would likely take over the T20I captaincy.
Stokes hasn’t played ODI cricket since the 2023 World Cup. He had initially retired from 50-over cricket in 2022 but made a U-turn to participate in the tournament. While he considered returning for the Champions Trophy, a hamstring injury prevented him from playing. He is currently recovering in Abu Dhabi and is expected to be fit for the start of the summer season with Durham.
Key, who recently visited Stokes in Abu Dhabi, sees no reason why Stokes cannot replicate his success with the Test team and revitalize the struggling ODI team. Key stated that nothing is off the table and all options are being evaluated to find the best path forward and its potential impact.
Key emphasized Stokes’s exceptional captaincy, highlighting his tactical skills and ability to lead and inspire players, especially under pressure. He brings players together and provides clear direction. While acknowledging Stokes’s qualities as a player and leader, Key also mentioned the need to consider the implications for Stokes’s workload and overall well-being. He stressed the importance of considering both potential risks and the possibility of positive outcomes when making such decisions.
The existing strong relationship between Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who now coaches England across all formats, adds weight to the idea of Stokes taking over the ODI captaincy. McCullum has faced challenges in white-ball cricket since taking over, contrasting with his successful partnership with Stokes in transforming the Test team. England has achieved 22 Test wins out of 35 since Key brought them together in 2022.
McCullum has indicated he is open to having different captains for each format due to their distinct requirements. However, Key believes there are enough similarities between Test and ODI cricket to make Stokes’s leadership effective in both formats.
Key pointed out that while T20 cricket is becoming increasingly distinct, 50-over cricket and Test cricket share more common ground. He noted India’s success in ODI cricket is often driven by their Test players.
The main challenge, as Stokes has noted, is the demanding schedule. England faces significant Test series against India and Australia this year. If Stokes takes on ODI captaincy, he would have to fit in ODI series against West Indies, South Africa, Ireland, and New Zealand into an already packed schedule.
Brook also faces similar scheduling issues as a multi-format player. However, Key is confident in Brook’s leadership potential, recalling his captaincy against Australia last summer in Buttler’s absence. With Stokes’s guidance and potentially sharing captaincy duties, Key believes Brook can further develop as a leader.
Key thinks Stokes’s leadership could positively influence Harry Brook, suggesting that added responsibility can sometimes bring out the best in players. He acknowledged that these are complex decisions requiring careful consideration to determine the best outcomes.
