Nasser Hussain, former England captain, opined that Ben Stokes should be included in the lineup in the team’s upcoming matches in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, following their dismal start in the competition. Notably, the defending champions suffered their second defeat in the tournament against Afghanistan on October 15, in Delhi. Hussain claimed that England is in a stage where they are forced to win all the group-stage matches in the World Cup.
“For Jos Buttler’s team, there is no wiggle room now. They have to win every match from here on if they want to keep the defence of their title in their own hands. That means them playing their best XI and acting as if every game, starting with facing the in-form South Africa in Mumbai on Saturday, is a World Cup final,” Hussain mentioned
“That means Ben Stokes has got to come back in if he is fit. I sincerely hope England were not holding him back here thinking ‘it’s only Afghanistan,” Hussain wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
“The problem with the Stokes recall is that the man he is earmarked to replace in Harry Brook is playing well. I would play them both. Now is not the time for any kind of emotion or loyalty,” he further added.
“Chris Woakes is completely out of nick — that has been evident in all three matches so far. He has been very un-Woakeslike. England have to leave him out now. Now is not the time for any kind of emotion or loyalty.
“This England side looks vulnerable, particularly in subcontinental conditions. One of my pre-tournament predictions was that Afghanistan would produce an upset at this World Cup – I just didn’t expect it to be England on the receiving end,” the former cricketer concluded.
