(UTV | NEW ZEALAND) – After leading England to a whitewash against New Zealand, their skipper Ben Stokes believes that the manner in which his team played has set new benchmarks for future aspirants.
“If we were on the wrong side of results in these games, if they’d played out the same way but we’d lost, I’d have walked off a very happy captain with the way everyone’s applied themselves, the attitude they’ve given to every single day, every single session, every single hour of these three matches.”
”I would like to think people watching know what they have to do to bang the door down and try to get in this team,” said Stokes on Monday (June 27).
England successfully turned heads with their attacking brand of play and Stokes added that the series sent out a clear message on how the team management wants players to approach the game, and how that could influence selections.
“I knew that everyone would buy into this mentality that me and Brendon wanted out of this team but I didn’t think it would go this well.”
”I think these last three games should have sent a message to people who aspire to play Test cricket for England over the next two or three years at least.”
“I would say it’s the manner you play, whether that be with the ball or bat in your hand, not necessarily your stats.”
”Because what we want to do is build on this, and it’s not just about this moment, it’s about the future as well.”
Stokes was also full of praise for the batter who embodied their new approach, Jonny Bairstow, who played a cameo in the final innings of the series as England raced towards a comfortable win.
“That’s something he’s been able to do in white-ball cricket and he’s playing as if he’s got the colors on. For him to back up an amazing knock at Trent Bridge with a performance in both innings this week was something very special,” said Stokes.