David Gower gave Ben Stokes high praise

• Gower also talked on Stokes’ decision to withdraw from one-day internationals.
• Jos Buttler says the door is open for Stokes to rejoin the ODI team.
•  He batted a game-winning 135 not out.

David Gower, a legendary English batsman, gave Test captain Ben Stokes high praise, saying that the all-efforts rounder’s in the longer format “outshone” those of former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham.

Stokes has guided England to nine victory in ten games since taking over a Test team that had lost one of their previous 17 games.

In the third Test of the 2019 series at Headingley, he batted a game-winning 135 not out, delivering one of the greatest Test innings ever.

“I guess Ben has outperformed Botham in certain ways. The innings at Headingley in 2019 are fantastic. He went from stonewall defense to full offence; it’s a one-time thing, but it’s great.

“The World Cup final at Lord’s was then decided by Stokes’ innings. Despite some bad luck, a fantastic performance by an outstanding man.”

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

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

“Everyone would want to see Ben, who is developing into a fantastic individual, play in the ODI World Cup.

“Who would have predicted these occurrences in the last year? He’s grown into a fantastic leader, and [Brendon] McCullum’s role fits him perfectly.

“The transformation of the England Test team in a few of weeks since he took over has been incredible. If they want to have a legitimate shot at winning the World Cup again, the greatest thing they can do is convince him to rejoin the team.”

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

“Of course, if he changes his mind, he’d be welcomed back with open arms, but we’re currently planning as though he won’t be available,” the wicket-keeper batsman explained.

The “door is always open,” according to head coach Matthew Mott, for Stokes to rejoin the team.

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