In cricket, the term “responsibility” is an extremely crucial factor. It is the responsibility of an entire side on a single player, which utilizes the complete talent out of him. Several eminent cricketers in the past have admitted that it is often the extra dose of responsibility which improves their game. Delegating responsibility to a certain player motivates him, as he knows that the team has shown enough faith in him.
One such individual, who loves the responsibility given to him, is none other than England’s Ben Stokes. Stokes was simply fantastic against New Zealand in the first innings at Lord’s and rescued England from a position of 30-4. Stokes along with Joe Root, counterattacked the Kiwis and matched fire with fire. It was his blazing knock of 94 off 92 which gave England the momentum.
Stokes was quoted saying, “Batting at No. 6 is important to me, because I feel it gives me more responsibility,” Stokes said. “It’s nice to be given the confidence by the coach and the captain. Hopefully I can make it my spot. “Paul Farbrace said today ‘Do what you do; everyone backs you in the changing room, so don’t change anything just because you are in the Three Lions.”
“International cricket doesn’t always last as long as you want it to. While I’m here I want to play the way I want to and know that I can be successful. Whenever I put an England shirt on, I try to play the same way I do for Durham, as that’s what got me here,” said Stokes.
Stokes spoke about his comeback to the national side after he bagged a pair against India in the Lord’s test in 2014. The all rounder also discussed about his infamous locker-punching episode. “I bagged a pair last time I was here, so things couldn’t have got any worse really,” Stokes said. “It’s always nice to come back to a place where it hasn’t gone too well and then put a performance in for the team.”
“Punching the locker was a stupid moment and something, I hope, I’ll never do again, because lockers are generally harder than bones and wrists,” concluded Stokes.