Can’t Take West Indies Lightly, Says Ben Stokes Who Aims To Thrive Under Pressure
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:56 PM
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has stated the visitors would not take the West Indies lightly in the limited-overs series, which starts in Antigua on March 3.
The 25-year-old Stokes praised the West Indies batsmen, saying they possess the ability to take the game away from any opposition.
“We know how talented the West Indies team are – their batsmen can hit the ball out of the ground whenever they choose to and they’ve always had good quick bowlers,” Stokes told Test Match Special.
The most expensive buy in the Indian Premier League 2017 auction, Stokes was brought by Rising Pune Supergiants for INR 14.5 crore.
“Everyone gets brought back down to earth. It’s just the way we operate, which is why it’s such a good environment to be in at the moment,” Stokes said.
West Indies is ranked ninth in the ODIs and hence been denied entry for the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled in June this year.
The Champions Trophy will take place in England from June 1-18, in which eight teams will feature in two pools.
“We can’t be going into this game thinking it’s just going to be a walk in the park,” Stokes added.
The Christchurch-born Stokes has been named as the deputy of Joe Root in Tests and he is looking forward to shoulder the responsibility.
“Now being the vice-captain, being in a leadership role I’m probably going to have to take maybe a step back a few times,” Stokes further added.
Stokes was blasted for four sixes by Carlos Braithwaite in the last over of the World T20 2016 final in Kolkata.
“I like to think I’ve grown. I think that’s just from playing more and getting a few demerit points and a few telling-offs after games,” Stokes concluded.
In the last 10 One-Day Internationals, England have nine wins against the West Indies.
Stokes has played 50 ODIs, 32 Tests and 21 Twenty20 Internationals so far since making his debut in 2011 against Ireland in Dublin.