Ben Stokes prepares to lead England against West Indies as cricket returns in the Covid world

It was only a short hand-written note left on his hanger in the Ageas Bowl dressing room but the message could not be clearer for Ben Stokes as he prepares to captain England for the first time in their ground-breaking first Test against West Indies.

‘There’s been a lot of opinions flying around but the best message I received was after I got my photo done yesterday in my blazer,’ said Stokes ahead of today’s return of international cricket in the bio-secure environment of Hampshire’s Southampton ground.

‘It wasn’t that well written but it was from Joe Root and it just said ‘do it your way’. I wasn’t expecting it but it was a really nice thought.’

Captain Ben Stokes takes a sharp low catch as England train ahead of Wednesday's first Test

Captain Ben Stokes takes a sharp low catch as England train ahead of Wednesday’s first Test

Stokes will stand in as skipper with Joe Root away at the birth of his second child as England prepare to take on West Indies at the Ageas Bowl near Southampton

Stokes will stand in as skipper with Joe Root away at the birth of his second child as England prepare to take on West Indies at the Ageas Bowl near Southampton

It was entirely in character for the England captain, missing today on paternity leave, to think of his deputy and close friend and it would be absolutely typical of Stokes to take Root’s advice and grasp today’s opportunity with both hands.

If today’s first tentative steps for cricket in a corona virus world in front of empty stands will inevitably be full of apprehension and nervousness then the one certainty is that England’s stand-in leader will take a positive, decisive route.

And Stokes could not make a more positive start than to fight West Indian fire with fire by picking his two quickest bowlers in Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in the same Test side for the first time.

England were leaning that way last night, with Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes the favourites to be left out, before deciding to leave a final call until this morning. Whether it would be explained away by the need for rotation or not, leaving Broad out of a home Test for the first time in eight years would be a big call and a huge statement by stand-in captain Stokes. Clearly it is one he wanted to sleep on.

Stokes is certainly a fan of his Durham team-mate Wood. ‘The transformation of Mark Wood has been phenomenal,’ said Stokes. ‘He’s had trouble with injuries and from a close friend’s point of view I’m so excited where he is at now.

‘The worries and troubles he might have had two or three years ago about his body have just disappeared. The skills he possesses are very rare and the fact we have six or seven bowlers to choose from makes it a hard decision. A lot of thought is being put into this team but it’s a tough one.’

Joe Root left Stokes some words of advice as he passed over the captaincy temporarily

Joe Root left Stokes some words of advice as he passed over the captaincy temporarily

The first Test with West Indies at the Ageas Bowl promises to be eerie with the stands empty

The first Test with West Indies at the Ageas Bowl promises to be eerie with the stands empty

Cricket's new normal was emphasised by this scoreboard message to keep hands clean

Cricket’s new normal was emphasised by this scoreboard message to keep hands clean

It has not been easy to assess England’s preparations for the first of three Tests for the Wisden Trophy from outside the bubble with access only via zoom but, by all accounts, Stokes has been a pro-active, energetic presence throughout training camp. There has been no doubt who, in Root’s absence has been in charge.

The miracle worker of 2019 made a personal plea last year to ECB chief executive Tom Harrison to get back the vice-captaincy he lost in the aftermath of his Bristol brawl and yesterday he cut a proud and impressive figure. Three years ago this looked impossible. Now Stokes appears a natural leader, albeit a temporary one, of this England team.

‘Everybody’s raring to go now,’ he said. ‘We all know how massive this is. I know all the players have been craving this but it’s also a huge occasion from a fan’s point of view. We’ve got that responsibility on our shoulders. We can’t use the lack of crowds as an excuse because we have so many people back home wanting us to do well.’

Stokes is one of the England players who feed off the reaction of spectators but it will be his job today to lead by that famous example irrespective of the lack of atmosphere.

Even interviews have to be conducted at a distance as Stokes talks to Jonathan Agnew of TMS

Even interviews have to be conducted at a distance as Stokes talks to Jonathan Agnew of TMS

‘When you have the three lions on your chest you can’t feel any prouder,’ he said. ‘We’re playing for our country and that feeling doesn’t change because there’s nobody in the stands. ‘There’s been a lot of rules and regulations in place here and we’ve respected all of them. It’s very different but we’ve been handling it well as a team and individuals.

‘We know If we get one thing wrong it could blow the whole thing and the chances of getting more sport back. We’re just delighted to be given the opportunity to get back on the field and we are doing everything we can to make sure we don’t mess it up.’

Now England and Stokes hope they have come up with the right combination to gain revenge over a West Indies team who defeated hem 2-1 last year and are becoming a Test force again under the impressive leadership of Jason Holder.

It is Holder, remember, who is ranked the top all-rounder in the world ahead of Stokes by ICC and the West Indies captain is clearly quietly peeved that he does not get the recognition and plaudits of his opposite number. Today he can grab the spotlight.

Stokes has been determined to shoulder all the captaincy burdens - including selection issues

Stokes has been determined to shoulder all the captaincy burdens – including selection issues

Stokes takes part in some slip fielding drills on Tuesday along with Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and coach Chris Read as a groundsman prepares the pitch

Stokes takes part in some slip fielding drills on Tuesday along with Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and coach Chris Read as a groundsman prepares the pitch

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler (right) gets in some practice as coach Chris Read bats

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler (right) gets in some practice as coach Chris Read bats 

‘Ben always gets talked up and rightfully so because he’s an outstanding cricketer,’ said Holder. ‘But the rankings say I’m the No1 ranked all-rounder and maybe I don’t get as much credit ads I deserve. Who knows? I don’t want to get caught up with it.

Holder, who has recovered from the ankle injury that affected his preparations for this series, will form part of the potent pace attack with Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel that gives West Indies a puncher’s chance of winning this series.

But it is the distinctive figure of off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, all 6ft 5in and 22 stones of him, who will command attention today if he gets the nod fore the final place in the attack over Alzarri Joseph. ‘Rahkeem is a massive option for us,’ said Holder. Clearly he meant literally as well as figuratively.

For all West Indies improvement it would be a major surprise if Stokes does not lead England into an early lead in this historic series. But, whatever the outcome, the real heroes are Holder and his team for coming to a country with a far worse covid-19 record than their own and getting the international cricket show back on the road. Cricket is back and Ben Stokes for one is going to relish every second.

Dom Bess bowls during England's net session on the eve of Wednesday's first Test match

Dom Bess bowls during England’s net session on the eve of Wednesday’s first Test match

Bess, right, speaks with Mark Saxby, coach Richard Dawson and Jack Leach during nets

Bess, right, speaks with Mark Saxby, coach Richard Dawson and Jack Leach during nets 

source: dailymail.co.uk