England announced the much anticipated 14-man squad for the first Ashes Test against Australia, starting on August 1 at Edgbaston. Joe Root will lead the squad with the biggest highlight being the reappointment of Ben Stokes as Test vice-captain. Meanwhile, Ashley Giles believes it as a brilliant choice.
The former cricketer believes that the all-rounder is a born leader and will be very helpful for the skipper Joe Root during the high-anticipated series. Ben Stokes was given vice-captain, a couple of years ago, however, the brawl in Bristol saw another side of things for the lanky all-rounder.
Despite that, Ben Stokes worked his ways to make things fall in place by knocking runs on big stages for England. The fighting knock he played in the final against New Zealand will always remain in the heart of the fans for obvious reasons.
Colin Graves, Chairman of the ECB, approved the reappointment of Stokes as Test vice-captain following the recommendation from Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Ashley Giles and ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison.
Ben Stokes has come a long way – Ashley Giles
Former English batsman Ashley Giles said on Saturday that Ben Stokes is a natural leader and will support skipper Joe Root in the upcoming Ashes series.
“He is a natural leader and has a great understanding of the game. He will offer tremendous support to Joe Root as part of the senior playing group,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Giles as saying.
“Over the past 18 months, he has come a long way and has shown a great degree of maturity on and off the field,” Giles said. I have no doubts that the added responsibility will also help him to continue his rise as a world-class all-rounder in the Test arena,” he added.
Alongside Ben Stokes, England named Jofra Archer in their Ashes squad for the first Test. Since making his senior debut in 2016, Archer has played 28 first-class matches taking 131 wickets at 23.44.
James Anderson is making good progress in his rehabilitation from his right calf injury and is expected to be fit for the first Test. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler is also back on the trot. England and Australia will compete in the five Ashes Test matches from August 1 to September 16.