England captain Ben Stokes faces a major test of leadership as he prepares his team for the third Test at Lord’s following a devastating defeat at Edgbaston. Writing in his column for The Times, former England captain Michael Atherton reflected on the challenges Stokes must overcome at this crucial point in the series.
“In the three years that Ben Stokes has captained England, it is hard to think that he has faced a sterner challenge than over the next two days, as he contemplates how to lift his players for the third Test at Lord’s. It will be a massive test of his leadership, and his own mental and physical resilience,” Atherton wrote.
He further emphasized the importance of the third Test by referencing a candid admission from Stokes ahead of the second match. “I used the three days after that game [at Leeds] to offer absolutely nothing to the world. I was a shadow of my normal self,” Stokes had said.
Using this quote, Atherton expressed concern over Stokes’ mental state and his ability to prepare adequately under pressure. “It is not hard to imagine, then, how he must be feeling now. There was a gap of seven days between the first and second Tests … The three days that Stokes used to shut himself off from the world after Leeds for his own benefit, are essentially the days he must use now to rally his players. His workload at Edgbaston was not dissimilar. He spent 25 overs longer in the field; he bowled nine overs fewer and batted 16 minutes less. Defeat, of course, exacerbates matters. If he was feeling knackered after a win at Leeds and with a seven-day break, how must he have been feeling on Monday morning with the Lord’s Test three days away?”
Atherton Calls for Changes in Bowling Attack
With the five-match series now level at 1-1, Atherton has suggested that England make changes to their bowling unit ahead of the third Test, which begins on July 10 at Lord’s. Specifically, he recommended bringing in fresh seam options.
“I’d keep faith with the batting and freshen up the seam attack, bringing in [Jofra] Archer and [Gus] Atkinson for Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse,” he suggested.
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