Ben Stokes is properly conscious he may have an additional “duty” when he leads England out in the first Test against the West Indies at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl on Wednesday, a match that marks the return of worldwide cricket after months of coronavirus-enforced lockdown. The stress of captaining England for the primary time, with common skipper Joe Root lacking the match to attend the start of his second little one, would have been sufficient to pay attention all-rounder Stokes’ thoughts in regular circumstances.
However the first fixture in a three-Take a look at sequence has been given added significance by the pandemic.
“I do know all people has been craving this, actually from a gamers’ perspective however I additionally suppose from a spectators’ and followers’ view,” mentioned Stokes on Tuesday. “This can be a large event for lots of people.”
No spectators might be allowed into the Ageas Bowl in a behind-closed-doors sequence that sees the opposite two Checks going down at Previous Trafford.
However Stokes mentioned a scarcity of a crowd was no motive for England to let their requirements slip.
“We all know we’ve that duty on our shoulders, to exit and do justice for all these folks,” he mentioned.
“We won’t use no crowd as an excuse to not really feel up for this sport as a result of we all know we’ve a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals following us and wanting us to do properly again residence watching us on TV.”
The Durham star added: “We’re strolling out on the sphere to symbolize our nation. When you will have the Three Lions in your chest, you’ll be able to’t really feel any prouder within the sport that we play.
“You do not lose that feeling simply because there’s no one within the stands.”
“Blueprint”
In the meantime, West Indies coach Phil Simmons praised English directors for staging the sequence.
Each groups reside and taking part in at bio-secure grounds, which have on-site lodges, whereas being topic to a twice-weekly testing regime and quite a few social-distancing measures.
“It is an enormous blueprint for a way cricket can transfer ahead,” mentioned Simmons, whose facet quarantined and educated at Previous Trafford from June 9 earlier than travelling south.
“We’re about to indicate that different locations can begin placing issues collectively. The England and Wales Cricket Board must be recommended for all of the work they’ve performed to get the sequence on the street and let’s have a look at what different international locations take from it.”
The previous West Indies batsman added: “Individuals wish to see sports activities as a result of it lifts folks, so hopefully that is the beginning.”
Two pacemen from England’s 13-man squad are set to be dropped with James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Mark Wooden and Chris Woakes all vying for 3 locations within the group.
Squad rotation — England are set to play six Checks in seven weeks together with three in opposition to Pakistan — ought to see all of them concerned at some stage.
However Stokes had no want to be the bringer of unhealthy information forward of Wednesday’s match.
“I have been dreading it for the final two or three days, telling the unlucky guys,” he mentioned.
“I can not wait to provide Joe the armband again for that motive, however that’s management.”
And with this sequence going down in opposition to the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter protests, it’s attainable that each Stokes and West Indies captain Jason Holder may lead their sides in taking a knee in help of the marketing campaign, though that had nonetheless to be confirmed by officers late Tuesday.
Stokes’ dad and mom are normally avid followers of their son’s progress, however now they’re again in his native New Zealand they might not witness him becoming England’s 81st Test captain as the remainder of the cricket world tunes in.
Promoted
“My Mam is spitting bullets as a result of they don’t seem to be displaying the sport again in New Zealand,” mentioned Stokes.
“In the event you’re on the market and also you see my Mam, I’d keep out of her approach.”
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