England Test skipper Ben Stokes is also surfacing as a prime contender to take over the limited-overs captaincy from Jos Buttler.
ECB's director of men's cricket, Rob Key, pointed out that it would be "stupid" not to consider the option, considering Stokes' leadership ability and the need to rejuvinate England's struggling white-ball unit.
Stokes, who is 33 years old, last appeared for ODIs during the 2023 World Cup, where he returned from retirement. Nevertheless, his comeback in the format was tainted by his second hamstring injury in six months.
Key on Stokes' Leadership
Rob Key, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, praised Stokes' tactical acumen and his ability to inspire players under pressure. "Ben Stokes is one of the best captains I’ve ever seen. It would be stupid not to look at him. He’s an unbelievably good tactician and a leader of men," Key stated.
Stokes is recovering in Abu Dhabi with the England Lions training squad and should be ready to go for the summer. Key, who was also in the UAE, thinks Stokes could reinvigorate the ODI team, as he did with the Test team.
The India Model and ODI-T20 Dynamics
Key indicated that ODIs are more similar to Test cricket than T20s and referred to India's strategy, where Test stars have contributed greatly to 50-over cricket. "We see India, and it's their Test players who are making the difference in ODIs," he said.
Workload Management a Concern
Even as there has been excitement regarding Stokes' possible appointment, his injury record and England's busy calendar in 2024 continue to be an issue. England have India and Australia in major Test series, along with ODIs against West Indies (May-June), South Africa and Ireland (September), and New Zealand (pre-Ashes).
With Brendon McCullum in charge of England's entire setup, the call on Stokes' captaincy could prove to be a watershed moment for the team's white-ball renaissance.
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