Despite concerns about the pressure the captaincy would have on the all-rounder, Stokes is presently the favourite to succeed Root, know the odds for the next England test cricket team captain
Because of the manner in which Joe Root stepped down as England Test captain, notably by resigning on his own terms, Ben Stokes is now a strong contender to take his place.
There appears to be some type of succession planning at work here, with Root unlikely to agree to stand down if a suitable replacement had not previously been identified.
Next England Test Match Cricket Captain Betting Odds, Predictions And Favorites
Root Is In Direct Talk With Stokes
The Yorkshire man would very certainly talk with Stokes, his deputy, before making his decision, and while the captaincy is the last thing Stokes needs, there’s little question he’d accept it if he thought he had Root’s blessing.
Whatever conversations Root has had with Stokes, the final choice on who will lead England into the Test summer will be made by Rob Key, the new director of cricket, who is due to be formally revealed next week.
If Stokes is up for captaincy, Key may feel that it would be unwise to stand in his way. The all-rounder has long been a leader in the locker room, encouraging others with his attitude to training and the game, and he commands a lot of respect.
England Has Less Options
There’s also the traditional notion that great English all-rounders don’t make good captains. Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff were selected as captains for the same reasons as Stokes was. Neither worked out, so Key should remember the adage that those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.
The issue for England is that it has few viable options.
Check Out The Top Contenders For New England Captain
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Ben Stokes
Stokes would be a risky choice for a number of reasons, including his injury history. More importantly, the strain he is already under as England’s most high-profile cricketer. He is a totemic all-rounder who has so often carried the burden of England’s hopes on the field across multiple formats.
We must not forget that the 30-year-old took a break from cricket for a significant portion of last year to focus on his mental health. That must be a major factor for Key, especially with player welfare being such a top priority since the pandemic began. So many people have been pressed to move between bio-secure bubbles.
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Stuart Broad
Could Stuart Broad serve as a temporary interim captain for the seven Tests that will be played this summer? He previously captained England in T20 cricket, but his reign was cut short after his team was humiliated by Holland in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Broad was also omitted from England’s most recent Test series in the Caribbean. That controversial decision that now appears to be absolutely incorrect. He has a bright cricket intellect and may do a decent job in the short term. However, there are too many doubts about his ability to play for an entire Test summer. Let’s see if he would have the support of the entire dressing room.
Next England captain odds
- Ben Stokes 8-15
- Stuart Broad 3-1
- Jonny Bairstow 5-1
- Jos Buttler 8-1
- Dan Lawrence 12-1
- Moeen Ali 16-1
- Zak Crawley 25-1
- Jimmy Anderson 33-1
- Eoin Morgan 50-1
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