Rob Key: Ben Stokes as ODI Captain for England Would Be Wise

Ben Stokes is being considered as a potential replacement for Jos Buttler as England’s ODI captain. Rob Key, the managing director for England men’s cricket, believes it would be unwise not to explore the option of appointing the current Test skipper to revitalize their struggling ODI team.

This move is one of several options Key is evaluating after Buttler’s resignation following a disappointing Champions Trophy performance. If Stokes were to take over the ODI captaincy, Harry Brook, the current vice-captain, would likely become the T20I captain.

Stokes has not participated in ODI cricket since the 2023 World Cup. He had previously retired from 50-over cricket in the summer of 2022 but made a U-turn to play in the tournament. He had considered a potential return for the Champions Trophy, but a hamstring injury sustained last year ruled him out.

Currently, Stokes is in Abu Dhabi with the England Lions training group, working on his recovery, and is expected to be fit for the start of the summer season with Durham. Key, who recently visited the UAE, sees no reason why Stokes cannot replicate his success with the Test team and inject new energy into the ODI side, which has been underperforming.

“I think everything is on the table,” Key stated. “We are considering every option to determine the best course of action and its potential impact.”

“Ben Stokes is an exceptional captain, and it would be foolish not to consider him. We need to examine the broader implications of such a decision.”

“He is an incredibly astute tactician, evident in Test cricket, and a natural leader who motivates players. In high-pressure situations, he can rally the team and provide direction.”

“These leadership qualities are essential. Ben is an outstanding player and leader. The main considerations are how this role would affect him and his workload.”

“We want to avoid overburdening him. However, we should also consider the potential benefits if this decision proves successful. These are the factors I need to weigh.”

Stokes’ existing strong relationship with Brendon McCullum, who now coaches England across all formats, adds weight to this idea. McCullum has faced 10 defeats in 11 white-ball matches since the start of the year, contrasting sharply with his successful partnership with Stokes in revitalizing the Test team. England has won 22 of 35 Tests since they joined forces in 2022.

McCullum is likely open to Stokes’ involvement. He recently mentioned he would consider different captains for each format due to their varying demands. Key, however, sees a closer alignment between Test and ODI cricket, suggesting Stokes could excel in both.

“Test cricket and 50-over cricket are quite similar, unlike T20s, which is now very different.”

“Looking at India, their T20 approach involves many young players, but their Test players are crucial in their 50-over cricket success.”

The primary challenge, as Stokes has noted, is the schedule. This year includes significant Test series against India and Australia. If he also captains the ODI team, he would need to fit in three-match series against West Indies, South Africa, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Brook faces a similar scheduling issue as a multi-format player. Key is confident in Brook’s leadership potential, recalling his captaincy against Australia last summer when Buttler was absent. With Stokes’ guidance and potentially sharing the limited-overs captaincy duties, Key believes Brook could further develop his leadership skills.

“Harry Brook could be an excellent captain. I was initially hesitant about Stokes taking on too much, but it has worked out well.”

“Stokes could positively influence Harry Brook. Extra responsibility can sometimes be beneficial for individuals. These are the decisions we need to carefully consider.”