Ben Stokes is Ian Botham-like leader, says David Gower
Ben Stokes named England's new Test vice-captain
Monday 13 February 2017 16:41, UK
Ben Stokes is an Ian Botham-like leader, says David Gower, after the England allrounder was named Test vice-captain, under new skipper Joe Root.
Gower says Root was the right choice to lead the team forward, believing Stokes to be better suited to leading by example on the field without the burden of the captaincy.
"I see Stokes as a Botham-esque figure," said Gower, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ. "Everything he does on the field can be inspirational. The great catches at slip, what he can do with the ball, with the bat.
"He is a different sort of leader. He can inspire a team, not necessarily by making decisions such as we're going to have spin bowling at one end, but by just being himself.
"He is a Botham. Maybe there is something there for the future with him, in terms of the captaincy, but I think he's happy to leave the decision-making to someone else.
He (Root) is not too young, is a responsible head. He has got a good imagination, and he can certainly play, so he ticks basically every box.
"He will inspire people in a different way. I'd be quite happy to see Stokes play for England for another decade just as he is, without the burden of captaincy.
"Root though has been groomed for the role for the last couple of years. He has got, by all accounts, a good cricket brain, and has 53 Tests worth of experience.
"He is not too young, is a responsible head. He has got a good imagination, and he can certainly play, so he ticks basically every box.
"Also, Root is someone whose batting will most likely be inspired by the job. Like Virat Kohli - he has been given the job of the India captaincy and responded absolutely brilliantly - Root has the capacity to do similar.
"It's down to him, but he is certainly a good enough player."
