Botham wants all-rounder to bat up the order in the ODI series
Tuesday 2 February 2016 15:56, UK
Sir Ian Botham is urging England's selectors to bat all-rounder Ben Stokes up the order in the ODI Series against South Africa.
Stokes starred with the bat in England's 2-1 Test series victory and the former England skipper thinks the 24-year-old can have a similar impact in the five-match series, starting in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
The Sky Sports commentator expects Alex Hales and Jason Roy to open with Joe Root at three and Stokes or skipper Eoin Morgan at four or five.
He told Sky Sports: "I'd be looking at moving Stokes up the order. He was in terrific form in the Test series and could be the stand-out player in this One Day series.
"England need to bat him as high as possible - four or five at least - we've seen the impact he can have with the bat."
England won their last ODI series 3-1 against Pakistan in the UAE in November with some exciting cricket and Botham is expecting the same approach against the Proteas.
Beefy is also bullish about England's chances and is tipping them to win the series 5-0 at odds of 20/1 with Sky Bet.
The former England all-rounder said: "There's no reason why they can't win the series. They are young, exciting and brimming with confidence after that Test series win.
"South Africa are favourites but they have a few injury concerns and I think England can capitalise on that. The weather is my only concern but there's no reason why they can't win the series in style."
Botham has tipped up Stokes to be England's top scorer at 15/2 and Adil Rashid to shine with the ball on his return to the international side.
"Rashid was the top wicket-taker in the Big Bash for Adelaide Strikers and he'll be looking forward to carrying that form into the series against South Africa," added Botham.
Watch England's five-match ODI series and two-match T20I series against South Africa live on Sky Sports, starting with the first ODI from 11am, Wednesday, Sky Sports 2. Or watch without a contract on NOW TV
