Ricky Ponting recently weighed in on the possibility of Ben Stokes opening in One Day Internationals (ODIs), stating that he believes Stokes would rise to the occasion and improve the team’s overall performance. Ponting pointed out that Stokes’ resilience, leadership qualities, and ability to perform under immense pressure make him a suitable candidate for a higher batting role, potentially boosting his already exceptional game. He highlighted Stokes’ mental toughness, as demonstrated in recent performances, and emphasized that such qualities could inspire the rest of the team.
The idea of Stokes opening in ODIs is not without challenges, as the all-rounder has primarily played in the middle order, where he balances his batting responsibilities with his role as a key bowler. However, Ponting believes that giving Stokes more responsibility could unlock his potential even further, which would ultimately benefit the team. Stokes has shown his mettle in tough situations, most notably in the 2019 World Cup final and other key matches where his clutch performances helped England secure critical victories.
However, Ponting cautioned that Stokes would need to adapt to the demands of opening in ODIs. The transition from being a middle-order anchor to facing the new ball in the early overs requires a different approach and mindset. Stokes’ ability to handle such responsibility and adapt to new situations could define his future in the ODI setup, particularly as England looks for new ways to strengthen their top-order performance ahead of major international tournaments.
While opening with Stokes might be a bold move, it could bring about a significant shift in England’s strategy, providing the team with an aggressive, experienced player at the top of the order. Ponting’s belief that Stokes’ fighting qualities and leadership could further inspire the team suggests that the all-rounder is more than capable of handling the role, potentially becoming one of the key figures in shaping the future of England’s limited-overs success.
