Ben Stokes Wants Players’ Opinions on Busy Cricket Schedule
England Test captain Ben Stokes has called for players’ input in planning the international cricket schedule due to the increasing commitments from international and franchise cricket. Stokes was speaking to the media ahead of the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston.
Stokes said, “It (hectic schedules) is something that does need to be addressed. Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well.” He added, “The landscape is constantly changing. I do not think anyone can put their hand on their heart and say they know what cricket is going to look like in even two years’ time.”
Stokes suggested that players like himself and Jos Buttler should be consulted in the Future Tours Programme (FTP) to provide valuable input. England’s schedule over the next 11 months is extremely busy, with series against Sri Lanka, Australia, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand, India, and more.
England aims to improve their standing in the World Test Championship table. They recently moved to sixth place after a victory against the West Indies. The team has 45 points and a percentage of 31.25 after 12 matches, with five wins, six losses, and one draw.
England’s upcoming matches include:
| Opponent | Format | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Test | August 21 |
| Australia | T20I, ODI | September 11 |
| Pakistan | Test | October 7 |
| West Indies | White-ball | October-November |
| New Zealand | Test | November 28 – December 14 |
| India | T20I, ODI | January 22 – February 12 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | Various | February |
| Zimbabwe | Test | May |
| West Indies | ODI | June |
| India | Test | June-August |
| Ireland | ODI | June |
England’s playing XI for the third Test against the West Indies includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir.
Doubts Revealed
Ben Stokes -: Ben Stokes is a famous cricket player from England. He is the captain of the England Test cricket team.
Test captain -: A Test captain is the leader of a cricket team in Test matches, which are long, traditional forms of cricket that can last up to five days.
international cricket schedule -: The international cricket schedule is a plan that shows when and where different countries will play cricket matches against each other.
franchise cricket -: Franchise cricket involves teams that are owned by private companies or individuals, like in the Indian Premier League (IPL). These teams play in tournaments separate from national teams.
Jos Buttler -: Jos Buttler is another famous cricket player from England. He is known for his skills in batting and wicket-keeping.
Sri Lanka -: Sri Lanka is a country in South Asia, and it has its own national cricket team.
Australia -: Australia is a country in Oceania, and it has a very strong national cricket team.
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia, and it has a national cricket team that plays international matches.
West Indies -: The West Indies cricket team represents a group of Caribbean countries in international cricket.
New Zealand -: New Zealand is a country in Oceania, and it has a national cricket team that competes internationally.
India -: India is a country in South Asia, and it has one of the most popular and successful national cricket teams in the world.
