England’s Potential Replacements for Ben Stokes at T20 World Cup

By Jonathan Healy

Ben Stokes’ decision to skip this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for rest has left England with a strategic conundrum. The challenge is to find a suitable replacement for Stokes, whose big-game heroics played a significant role in England’s victory at the 2022 Melbourne tournament.

Here, we explore four potential strategies England may consider while finalising their squad for this year’s 20-over showcase.

1. Strengthening the Top-Order with an Extra Batter

With the likes of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, England’s top-order is already formidable. The talented youngster Harry Brook is also expected to contribute despite not having played any cricket this year. With Stokes’ absence, England might consider adding Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, or the highly-rated Will Jacks to bolster their batting options.

2. Opting for a Like-for-Like Replacement with Another All-Rounder

England boasts of several all-rounders, including Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali, who rank in the top 10 of the ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder rankings. Chris Jordan, an underrated all-rounder, could also be a potential replacement for Stokes.

3. Adding an Additional Spinner

Given the conditions in the Caribbean and the USA, spinners could play a crucial role. England has several good spinners, including the world’s No.1 ranked bowler Adil Rashid. They could consider adding another specialist spinner like leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed to their final squad.

4. Going for an All-Out Pace Assault

England could also consider bolstering their pace attack with the inclusion of Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson, alongside the likes of Jofra Archer, Reece Topley, and Chris Woakes.