Ben Stokes position as England Test vice-captain to be discussed this week
Following Ben Stokes' return to international cricket, his position as the Test vice-captain for the England Cricket team will be discussed by Head coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Joe Root. Stokes’ court case is still moving in the legal system with the first Crown Court set the date for March 12.
England cricketer Ben Stokes was away from the international scene since September last year after the English lad was involved in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub with teammate Alex Hales. The brawl allegedly led to a 27-year old guy suffering a fractured eye socket. However, after a gap of almost six months, Stokes’ return to the pitch in the ODI series against New Zealand.
When Root was questioned by ESPN Cricinfo recently regarding if Stokes would again be appointed as the vice-captain of the side, Root said, "That's a decision we've not agreed yet. I think when we get together as a group me and Trevor will discuss a few things but that's not been discussed ."
James Anderson took over the VC role during the Ashes series in Stokes' absence, but the all-rounder's return to team for the New Zealand tour meant that it is a situation that needs to be discussed by Test captain Root and Bayliss ahead of the two Test matches against New Zealand at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Stokes look to have started just where he left off as his return to the national team has been highly successful. His most recent outing where he scored a match-winning 63 with the bat and took two wickets while also effecting two run-outs that helped him clinch the man-of-the-match award in the second ODI against New Zealand.
"All I can say is what I've seen of him coming back into the environment and he's worked his nuts off as we expected him to. He's gone about things exactly how you'd expect a really good professional to do and that sort of standard in training is why you get the performances on the field,"
"He worked really hard back home in Durham to make sure when he did get his opportunity to come back and play he was ready. He loves playing for England and you can see that in the way he plays. He leaves nothing out there on the field, he's really dedicated to this sport and it's really nice to be able to look back on the last game and see him have such an influence on the result" Test skipper Joe Root added.