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I am a huge ambassador for the format, it is the pinnacle of cricket: Ben Stokes

image-l75r99r5Ben Stokes hails Test cricket (Twitter)

The debate about the longevity of the Test format due to the growing popularity of franchise cricket is everlasting in the cricket fraternity. Time and again, a lot of former and current cricketers have come up with suggestions to protect the longest format of the game.

Recently, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri suggested making the Tests limited to five or six nations to ensure a tough competition and thrilling matches. The advice was met with mixed responses in the cricket fraternity. England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has also joined the bandwagon.

Stokes on Shastri’s suggestion for Tests

In a press meeting regarding his documentary 'Ben Stokes: Phoenix From The Ashes', he gave his input on the Test and T20 debate. Notably, Stokes is one of the biggest ambassadors of the purest format of the game. He made a huge statement last month by announcing his retirement from the 50-over format to ensure a prolonged career in Tests.

Reflecting on Shastri’s suggestion, Stokes added that he agrees with the veteran’s point of view to a certain extent. The English captain counted the numerous leagues like IPL, CPL, and CSA to point out that the T20 format has now become business.

Though Stokes didn’t seem much impressed with the franchise cricket, he hailed the concept for providing opportunities to more and more players. The emergence of T20 leagues has made the life of the cricketers easy as they now have financial security.

The all-rounder emphasizes on the importance of the purest format

Also, such tournaments provide the platform for hundreds of cricketers to show their mettle and grab headlines. However, Stokes doesn’t see the growing popularity of franchise cricket as a threat to the Test format. The 31-year-old labelled Tests as the pinnacle of cricket which will survive as long as the game of cricket.

Ben Stokes said as quoted by NDTV

"I am a huge ambassador for the format, it is the pinnacle of cricket. The purest form of it. Yeah, I can never see Test match cricket going anywhere. And I know that even the other biggest players in the world feel exactly the same way. So, I almost feel like, you know, we people have a responsibility to keep that message going out there that Test cricket is not dead,”

Ben Stokes is absolutely right with his opinion of big players wanting to play the Test format more. Just like the England skipper, former Indian captain Virat Kohli has also expressed his love for the purest format time and again.

Also Read: Ben Stokes did not want to play for England following 2017 arrest