Ben Stokes looks to spread the joy as England focus on New Zealand

I t could be viewed as the start of a year that will define the captaincy of Ben Stokes, but beyond an instruction to the medical staff to furnish him with “eight fit fast bowlers” come the Ashes, he claims to be looking squarely at the task at hand.

Similarly, this two-Test tour of New Zealand could be framed as having an extra layer of meaning to Stokes. The all-rounder’s mother, Deborah, and other family members and friends will be at Mount Maunganui’s grass-banked Bay Oval on Thursday when he leads England for the first time in the country of his birth.

While every century he makes these days is dedicated to his late father, Ged, through that crooked finger salute towards the sky, Stokes is keen to play down any added significance. Instead, aged 31 and with his own legacy secured by climbing those twin peaks of Lord’s and Headingley in 2019, it is about others now.

“I’m at a stage now where I would much prefer to leave a mark on other people’s career than look to make mine more established,” said Stokes, two days out from the series opener as Cyclone Gabrielle made way for brighter skies.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket and done some great things with some great teams over the years. Being captain, I’ve got a real desire to make the best out of the team I’ve got here and players who will come in in the future.

“That’s one of my goals as England captain: to hopefully let some of these guys in the dressing room here just have an amazing career. If I can influence that in any way shape or form, then I’ll be happy.”

This outlook has informed much of what we have seen under Stokes. The run of nine wins from his first 10 Test matches in charge has been built on sympathetic off-field management and loyalty in selection. He