England captain Ben Stokes. (PHOTO: REUTERS)With just a few days left for the high-octane Ashes series between arch-rivals Australia and England, the pressure continues to mount on Ben Stokes’ travelling side, who are looking for their first Ashes win Down Under since 2010/11. Former England captain Andrew Strauss has hailed Stokes, calling him a phenomenal cricketer who has pushed English cricket forward alongside Kiwi head coach Brendon McCullum.
“I think he’s phenomenal, Stokesy. I love his approach; I love how clear he is in his thinking and I love the fact he really doesn’t care what any of us think about what they’re doing,” Strauss said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
“He’s pushed English Test cricket forward quite a substantial way, alongside (head coach Brendon) McCullum.
While Strauss praised the 34-year-old Stokes, he also pointed out his vulnerabilities, calling him “an emotional guy” who will be targeted by the Australians.
“He (Stokes) has got vulnerabilities, Stokes. We know he’s an emotional guy. And I think the Australians, as a nation, they’re going to really try and get under his skin over the course of these five Test matches,” Strauss was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“As a captain, you need to be able to suck that up and almost show that you’re unaffected. I think Stokes is going to find that difficult to do, but what he can do, and what he’s done very well in the past, is answer with his performances on the pitch – those incredible, inspired performances, some of England’s greatest performances of all time, with bat and ball,” he added.
Strauss said that while Stokes has all the abilities to tackle any situation, if England start this tour on a sombre note, then things might be too challenging to handle. “He has the ability to do that, but it’s going to be very draining for him, mentally. If England lose a Test match or two early, that’s going to be a real challenge for him.”
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