‘The best England have’: Stokes paves way for Anderson and Broad Test recalls

Ben Stokes will prioritise reigniting a winning mindset after replacing Joe Root as England’s Test captain, with Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad both scheduled for immediate returns as the team seeks to end a dispiriting run of one win in 17 Test matches.

“I want to win games of cricket for England and the best way to do that before a ball has been bowled is to play your best XI,” Stokes said. “Stuart Broad and James Anderson should always be considered for selection because they are the two best bowlers England have. They are two of the greats of the game in my opinion.

“At the end of the day, the most important thing for me is winning. I want to be a part of a team that has that real mentality and isn’t going to take a backward step. And the most important people to deliver that message to is the guys in the changing room.”

His own first steps as captain will be taken with the assistance of Root, who will remain in the team as a specialist batter. “Joe can help take the added pressures that come with the captaincy off my shoulders,” Stokes said. “I’m going to be using him going forward, especially in my first few months because of how long he did the role for and how good he was doing it. I’ll be learning from Joe about things to keep on top of and also things that he maybe thought he could have done better as well.

“It’s naive and stupid to think that now because I’m captain my way is the only way and no one else has a voice or an input. I feel that’s one thing that a leader needs to do – always make sure that the other people around them feel valued and have a voice. It’s one thing I did against West Indies at Southampton [in his one previous match as captain, in July 2020]. I’ll be using that and not just thinking I