New Zealand expect steely England under new skipper Ben Stokes
New Zealand expect Ben Stokes's leadership to galvanise England but they intend to make life as difficult as they can for the new skipper in the upcoming Test series, head coach Gary Stead said. New Zealand-born Stokes replaced Joe Root as Test captain last week, with England seeking a swift turnaround under the talismanic all-rounder after managing only one win in their last 17 matches. The combative 30-year-old's first assignment will be to turn the tables on New Zealand in the three-Test series starting at Lord's on June 2, a year after England lost 1-0 to the 'Black Caps' while Stokes was taking a break from cricket. "Look, I imagine that he will bring - there will be an immediate steel to their group," Stead told reporters on Wednesday.