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Since their premature exit from the 2015 ODI World Cup, the England cricket team have undergone a prꦡofound transformation in every facet of the game. This resurgence has catapulted them to the pinnacle of international cricket. Their journey towards this transformation began with the historic victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cupꦐ final, a watershed moment for English cricket.
Ben Stokes: The heartbeat of England’s resurgence
At the heart of England’s remarkable journey stands Ben Stokes, a dynamic all-rounder whose exploits on the field and leadership qualities have reshaped the team’s fortunes. Stokes’ unwavering commitment to the team’s cause, both as a player and as a leader, has galvanized England. The 32-year-old was also the Player of the Match in the final when England emerged victorious in the 2019 mega-event.
Brendon McCullum’s influence on England’s playing style
Another driving force behind England’s resurgence is Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain known for his attacking brand of cricket. McCullum’s appointment as coach brought a fresh and aggressive outlook to the team’s playing style, fostering a culture of fearlessness.
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Ben Stokes’ vision for England’s future coach
As England prepares to defend its title in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, Stokes has identified a cricketing icon who he believes could potentially become a future coach for England. Stokes expressed his vision of Andrew Flintoff becoming a full-time coach fꦬor the England cricket team.
“After his cricket career, Freddie’s (Andrew Flintoff) personality was perfect for TV. But then you see him make a comeback, and you can picture him being involved as a full-time coach,” Stokes was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.
After retiring from cricket, Flintoff remained somewhat distant from the cricketing world for several years. In December 2022, he was involved in a serious car accident while filming for the BBC show Top Gear. However, in September 2023, the 48-yearꦿ-old made his first public appearance as a support staff member during the ODI series between England and New Zealand.
The Christchurch-born cricketer further mentioned that Flintoff’s involvement with the squad had been enjoyable and that he could picture him in a coaching role
“He loved every minute of it. He said that he was in awe of what he was witnessing. Every day he spent with us, he grew more confident within himself,” Stokes added.
Upcoming challenges
Currently, the England team is competing against Ireland in a three-game ODI series, after which they will head to India for the ICC World Cup 2023. England’s campaign in the tournament begins with a game against New Zealand on October 5.
