David Gower praised Ben Stokes as ‘outshone’ cricketer

• David Gower says Ben Stokes has outshone Sir Ian Botham in the longer format.
• Gower also talked about Stokes’ decision to retire from one-day internationals.
• Coach Matthew Mott has stated that the “door is always open” for Stokes to return.

Legendary England batter David Gower praised England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes, saying the all-performances rounder’s in the longer format have “outshoned” former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham.

Stokes has led England to nine victories in ten games since taking over an England Test team that had won just one of their previous 17 games.

In the third Test at Headingley in 2019, he batted a match-winning 135 not out, keeping the Ashes alive and playing one of the greatest innings in Test history.

“Ben in some ways has outshone Botham I suppose. The innings [at] Headingley in 2019 is awesome. He changed from stonewall defence to outright offence, it’s one-off, but brilliant.

“Then the World Cup final at Lord’s hinged on Stokes’ innings. An outstanding performance from an outstanding man, though some luck came in their way.”

Gower also talked about Stokes’ decision to retire from one-day internationals, which he announced in July of last year due to the “unsustainable” nature of his current workload.

Stokes is required if England is to “have a proper go at winning the World Cup again,” according to Gower.

“Everyone would love if Ben plays in the ODI World Cup, someone who is growing up to be a remarkable individual.

“Who would have believed in these events in the last 12 months? He has developed into a magnificent leader and the part [Brendon] McCullum plays works beautifully.

“The way they have transformed the England Test team in a matter of weeks, when he took over, has been just unbelievable. If they want to have a proper go at winning the World Cup again, then the best thing they could do is to persuade him to be part of the team again.”

England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, on the other hand, stated that the defending champions are planning to compete in the ODI World Cup without Stokes.

“If he wants to change his decision, of course, he’d be welcomed back with open arms but we are very much at the moment planning as if he won’t be available,” the wicket-keeper batter said.

Coach Matthew Mott previously stated that the “door is always open” for Stokes to return to the team.

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