Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting reveals the only English player who can takeover the captaincy duties from Joe Root after England’s failure in the ongoing Ashes series.
England’s red ball skipper Joe Root is under a massive pressure after the hosts have taken a 3-0 lead in the ongoing 2021/22 Ashes series.
Talking about the same on cricket.com.au, Ricky Ponting names a player who can free Joe Root’s shoulders by taking over the captaincy duties.
“I think Stokes would actually grow as a player if he was the captain of that side. The only person that can take over is Ben Stokes. I think with a bit of extra responsibility, he might become an even better player and that might have a good impact on the rest of the team.”
Ponting feels that Joe Root should not longer continue as the skipper of team. Ponting wants to see a new face so that it can boost the team’s morale and fetch great results for the team.
“Where England cricket are right now, they’re looking at a pretty ordinary last eight or 10 test matches, they might just need a complete reboot with a fresh face in charge. I’m not saying that he needs to go or that he has to stand down. But I reckon it will be a conversation in the back in the backrooms of at the ECB,” he concluded.
After getting two lifelines, Stokes has slammed 66 runs off 91 balls. His innings comprised of 9 fours and one six. Along with Bairstow, Stokes rescued England’s ship as they were struggling at one point for 36/4. The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket before Stokes lost his wicket off Nathan Lyon’s bowling.
On the other hand, England’s all rounder Ben Stokes has said before the fourth test that he has not ambition to become the captain of the team. Stokes has backed skipper Joe Root despite England’s poor run of form.
“I’ve never really had an ambition to be a captain. It’s totally Joe’s decision, he shouldn’t be forced into doing it. I don’t sense that at all with Joe. The most important people’s opinions are those guys in the dressing room and they’ve got our thorough support. A captain is someone you want to go out and play for. Joe Root is someone I always want to play for.”
The visitors need to chase a target of 388 runs. At stumps on Day 4, England have scored 30 runs at the loss of none. If England fail to win the test, it will be Joe Root’s 10th straight game without a win.