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Two of the world’s finest all-rounders in Ben Stokes and Jason Holder might be captaining their respective sides when England face the West Indies in the first Test at Southampton starting Wednesday. Holder tops the ICC’s Test all-rounder rankings, with fellow paceman Stokes in second place as worldwide cricket resumes for the first time since March 2 following the coronavirus lockdown. They each common within the 30s with the bat, with Holder’s bowling mark of 26.37 barely extra economical than Stokes’ 32.68. But whereas Holder, 28, is a seasoned skipper, Wednesday’s match would be the first time the 29-year-old Stokes has captained a cricket team since he was a teenager.
England’s talisman has been thrust into the position, with common skipper Joe Root lacking the collection opener to attend the beginning of his second little one.
Pace-bowling all-rounders Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff noticed their particular person video games decline with the cares of the England captaincy.
The concern is that one thing comparable will occur to Stokes, a key determine in England’s World Cup triumph last year when his spectacular century additionally noticed the group to a exceptional win over Australia in an Ashes Test at Headingley.
It appeared any likelihood of Stokes turning into England captain disappeared when he was charged with affray following an incident outdoors a Bristol nightclub.
But after being discovered not responsible at a 2018 trial, he regained a place of duty as Root’s vice-captain.
“After that happened it was ‘right, what am I going to do from this point forward?,” Stokes mentioned final week. “I’m quite proud to say I’m in this situation (of being England captain) through hard work and determination.”
‘Get on prime of Ben’
Holder was made captain of the West Indies’ one-day aspect aged simply 23.
A 12 months later he was put accountable for the Test aspect in opposition to a backdrop of administrative chaos that included bitter rows between senior gamers and directors.
Sympathy for his plight has typically overshadowed recognition of his cricketing talent.
Holder, nevertheless, confirmed his class with an unbeaten double century in opposition to England within the first Test at his Barbados dwelling floor throughout a 381-run win final 12 months that despatched the West Indies on the best way to a collection victory.
“Hopefully Jason can do what’s necessary to get on top of Ben in this first Test,” mentioned West Indies coach Phil Simmons.
Promoted
“Jason has played enough Test cricket now to know what he’s working on and, mentally, he’s where he wants to be.
“I feel Ben is considered one of them who leads from the entrance. That’s to be proven by all his exploits earlier than in cricket and we must make it possible for we get on to him very early, as a result of he likes to do what is important for his group.”
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