Ben Stokes names Alastair Cook as captain in his All time Best XI

He also remarked James Anderson the best bowler he has ever seen.

View : 9K

2 Min Read

England v New Zealand
info
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 25: England captain Alastair Cook speaks with Ben Stokes of England after winning the 1st Investec Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord’s Cricket Ground on May 25, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

English all-rounder Ben Stokes has been one big name in the cricket world in the recent times. He emerged as the most expensive player in the IPL auctions this year and will be featuring in the T20 carnival for the first time. Stokes will be plying his trade for the Rising Pune Supergiant and is certainly having the time of his life. In the recent days, there has been a trend wherein the players list out their Best XI. They include the names of cricketers who they feel deserve to be a part of the ideal playing team.

Stokes joined the trend as he listed out his Best XI recently. In a press release by Red Bull, as per the reports in OneIndia, Stokes gave a good description of the eleven players he picked up in his line up.

He had Virender Sehwag in the opening slot along with English player Alastair Cook. For Virender Sehwag, Ben Stokes quoted, “I’d have Sehwag as one of my openers. I reckon he averaged about 50 in his career (49.34), and his strike rate was probably in the 80s (82.23). To have that as an opening batsman in Test match cricket if you were an opening bowler would be pretty scary, I reckon.”

For Alastair Cook, Stokes noted that the former English Test skipper has over 10000 runs to his name. “He has scored 10000 runs and he performs all over the world. He is Mr. Reliable, so he would be my other opener. He would captain the team as well,” said the all-rounder.

At number 3, Stokesy added Hashim Amla in the list. The South African was remarked as the best batsman he has ever seen by Ben Stokes.

“Number three would be Amla. His record in all forms is amazing – he’s the best batsman I’ve ever bowled at in my career,” he quoted.

The number 4 and 5 spot belonged to the best players of their generation from Australia and India. Stokes named Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar in the list. He expressed that he loved the spirit and grit Ricky Ponting had during his playing days.

“He made fast bowlers look medium pace when he was at the crease. He pulled them in front of square, behind square, for six, and he was just a tough nut. I remember when he got hit by Harmy (Steve Harmison) in the grille. It cut his face and he just got on with it. I love seeing that,” said Stokes on Ponting.

“It’s got to be Sachin, got to be. I don’t think I need to explain why. Ricky and Sachin could swap between four and five, and they can have a fight to see who goes in – whichever one’s got their pads on,” he said about Tendulkar.

Next in line was former West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers. He said it is an absolute mandate to have a player from the early ages in the team and that is why he included the legendary player in his Best Dream XI.

“I would have Garfield Sobers – you have got to have someone from the stone ages in there. He could do everything: bat, bowl all sorts of different balls, even bowl with his other arm, I have heard – so well done mate,” were the words of Ben Stokes on Sobers.

When it came to wicketkeeping, there was absolutely no match for Adam Gilchrist in the previous decade. Stokes included him in his lineup saying, “An obvious choice. He average 50 in Tests, and god knows how many dismissals he has had. So Gilchrist my keeper.”

The only spinner that he included in his side was former Aussie spinner Shane Warner. He noted him to be an excellent slip fielder too. “Shane Warne is my spinner and he can come down and make a few runs when I need him to as well. 700 wickets, a few decent runs down the order and a great slip fielder, so he can in at number 8,” said the all-rounder.

The pace brigade boasted of Dale Steyn, West Indies great Curtly Ambrose and his English team mate James Anderson.

“That Dale Steyn bloke – he is alright, isn’t he?” said Stokes about picking Steyn.

“It’s got to be one of the West Indians. I am torn between Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. But I will choose Ambrose, because he is tall and would scare people. He was quite a decent bowler as well,” quipped the English cricketer.

“The best bowler I have ever seen live, if you know what I mean, when I have been standing at gully or slip. He just makes batsmen look silly,” he conceded about James Anderson.

Ben Stokes Dream XI:

Virender Sehwag, Alastair Cook (c), Hashim Amla, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Sir Garfield Sobers, Shane Warne, Dale Steyn, Curtly Ambrose, Jimmy Anderson.

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:

googletelegraminstagramwhatsappyoutubethreadstwitter

Download Our App

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS and Google Play Store