It’s not going to happen overnight: Ben Stokes wary of future even after tremendous start to English summer
India Today
England won their first Test match under new captain Ben Stokes, beating New Zealand in the first Test match of the English summer.
England started off their summer on a positive note under the captaincy of Ben Stokes. The hosts defeated World Test Champions New Zealand in a see-sawing battle at the Lord’s cricket ground, winning their first Test match in 2022. England had been drubbed in Australia and West Indies before their home series, something that prompted structural changes in English cricket.
After Root stepped down from captaincy in April, Ben Stokes was chosen to fill the void under the new administration of Rob Key. Speaking after the win, Stokes said that it was amazing to win his first Test match as a full time captain and that this week had been pretty special.
"Amazing. A great Test match. It always seems to be, England vs New Zealand - especially at Lord's. Regardless of being captain, the first Test of the summer always has a special buzz about it. It was a special week with all the build-up and to come away with the win makes it even better,” Stokes said in the post match presentation.
The team has been under the tutelage of New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum who left the head coach’s job at Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. Stokes spoke about the new head coach and his approach and said that England will take time to adjust to the new methods.
“It's been pretty good. The language he uses in the press is similar to what he uses up in the changing room. We're happy leaving here with a win but one thing that everyone needs to take into account is that it's a change of mindset for everyone and it's not something that's going to happen overnight,” the captain said.
Stokes was aided by former captain Joe Root’s stunning century who also reached a personal feat of 10,000 runs.
“Scoring a hundred and 10,000 runs - what a player, what a man,” Stokes hailed the former captain.
