Former England captain Eoin Morgan said that Ben Stokes’ captaincy will make a huge difference in the upcoming Ashes series. Morgan also added that Brendon McCullum’s aggressiveness as a player has rubbed off on the all-rounder as well. Stokes has turned the table for the England Test side since succeeding Joe Root in the role. He has said that England will hold back nothing in the Ashes and play fearlessly as well.
Speaking to Mirror Sport, Morgan said: “Good leadership and captaincy can make a real difference to a team and Stokes’ leadership I think is going to be key for this Ashes. He’s always been a leader and as captain he’s been great. I’ve sat back and admired how he’s gone about it. I learned a huge amount from his coach Brendon McCullum and leadership is shaped by the people that have influenced you. They have recognised what strengths their players have and are trying to utilise them. And they’ve worked.”
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The veteran has often credited Brendon McCullum for transforming England’s white-ball system, giving the example of New Zealand’s performance against them in the 2015 World Cup. With Eoin Morgan playing only 16 Tests in his cricketing career and none against Australia, the veteran also said he considered facing the arch-rivals in limited overs the closest thing to the Ashes as well. However, the 2023 Ashes series will begin on June 16 at Edgbaston.
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“I would have given my left arm to play in the Ashes. I went on the 2010/11 tour as the spare batter, but we had such a strong batting line up. Every time I had an opportunity against the Aussies particularly in 50 over cricket. I would go ‘well, this is the closest I’m getting to playing an Ashes against these guys. If that is where I want to be, then I need to do well here to start with,” Eoin Morgan concluded.
