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"Massive Test Of His Leadership": Atherton Casts Doubt On Ben Stokes For Lord's Test

Akshita Patel

Michael Atherton hits out at England captain Ben Stokes [Source: @SkySports, @FoxCricket/X.com]Michael Atherton hits out at England captain Ben Stokes [Source: @SkySports, @FoxCricket/X.com]

Former England captain Michael Atherton has strongly criticised Ben Stokes after England lost the second Test against India at Edgbaston. Atherton said Stokes is struggling with his form and captaincy and called him a “one-format player” who looks underprepared to lead the team.

Having taken a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series by securing the Leeds Test, England seemed lost in the second Test at Edgbaston. Winning the toss and deciding to field first worked against them as India scored 587 runs in first inning.

The situation worsened when India set a massive 608-run target in the fourth inning, where England folded on 271 to suffer an embarrassing 336-run defeat.

Michael Atherton Questions Ben Stokes’ Test Captaincy 

In his column with The Times, former England cricketer Michael Atherton criticised Ben Stokes, pointing out that he has not scored a Test hundred in two years and is playing only Test cricket by choice. He believes this lack of match practice is affecting Stokes’ rhythm and form.

"To add to the problems of back-to-back matches, little rest, a heavy defeat and bad judgment is his own form with the bat, which has declined with each year he has been in the job. As a dedicated one-format player who does not play much cricket outside Tests, sometimes of his own accord, Stokes is in the invidious position of being short of rhythm and form just when he needs to lead from the front," Atherton wrote.

Atherton also praised Indian captain Shubman Gill, who has been in great form in this series. He said Gill looked confident against spin bowling and was a key factor in India’s win.

“While Stokes has looked shaky against spin, his opposite number is lording it. Gill’s returns in this series have been immense and the victory at Edgbaston was driven by his vision, determination and single-mindedness," he added.

The Indian captain was the difference between the two sides in the Edgbaston Test, as he scored 430 runs in 2 innings, including a double hundred and a century. On the other hand, Stokes folded on a golden duck and 33 runs in two innings.

Atherton Considers Lord's Test A Major Challenge For Stokes

Former England captain Michael Atherton feels that the third Test at Lord's next week will be the greatest test of Ben Stokes' life as a player and a captain. The series stands 1-1 after India's emphatic victory at Edgbaston, and the pressure is building on Stokes to deliver, particularly with the bat.

"In the three years that Ben Stokes has captained England, it is hard to think that he has faced a sterner challenge than over the next two days, as he contemplates how to lift his players for the third Test at Lord’s. It will be a massive test of his leadership, and his own mental and physical resilience," Atherton further opined.

Ben Stokes has been frustrating with the bat during the first two Tests, collecting only 20, 33, 0, and 33. Though he has bowled impressively, especially at Leeds, his batting has been uncertain, most notably against spin.