Ben Stokes – the Kiwi-born all-rounder who helped England beat the Black Caps in the World Cup final – could have been playing for New Zealand if Ross Taylor had had his way. Ross Taylor has recently published his Autobiography, which is unfolding a lot of stories since its publication. One such story is regarding the English all rounder Ben Stokes.
The book said, Ben could have played for the black caps, had Taylor not wore the black jersey. Taylor reveals in his autobiography, Ross Taylor Black & White, that he sounded out Stokes out in 2011 while both played for English county Durham. Taylor wrote, “He was 18 or 19 and very much a Kiwi. …Over a Guinness, I asked him if he wanted to come and play in New Zealand. He was keen so I sent a message to New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan saying this guy Stokes was a really good young cricketer and interested in playing for New Zealand.’’
However, according to Taylor, Vaughan was lukewarm while responding.
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Taylor wrote,
“Vaughan replied along the lines that he could start playing domestic cricket and we would see where it went. “I went back saying we would have to offer him more than that because he wouldn’t be interested if it meant starting on the bottom rung of the ladder.
“Obviously it didn’t come to anything.’’ “Ben was sincere about playing for New Zealand but NZC would’ve had to have acted swiftly and decisively and given him some pretty solid assurances, which Vaughan clearly wasn’t prepared to do.’’
I call myself an Englishman: Ben stokes wish according to the autobiography of Taylor
Stokes, however, favoured to wear an England’s test sweater.
A year before Taylor joined Durham , Ben told Stuff in 2009, that playing for England is his long term goal. The 17 year old’s wish was “to play for England when I’m older. I call myself an Englishman now.’’
However, this sort of New Zealand’s loss is a great gift to English cricket.
Ben Stokes’ father Gerard Stokes was a Kiwis prop. He got a professional league coaching job in Cumbria. Henceforth, he took his family to England. Ben Stokes then, was just 12 years old.
Afterwards, Ben joined the Durham academy. From there, he made quick progressions to the senior county team.
In 2011, Stokes debuted in ODI for England. He was just 20 years old. He made his debut in test while playing the 2013 Ashes in Australia.
Since then, Stokes played 83 test. The all rounder not only smashed 11 centuries, but also grabbed 182 wickets.
Stokes represented England in 105 ODIs. His notable ODI being the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s. He was a major contributor in defeating New Zealand in the super over.
Stokes, scored 84 off 98 balls in regulation play. It eased Jos Buttler’s job who added 15 runs in the super over. It helped England to lift the trophy.
Furthermore, he became the England Test captain this year. With the help of Kiwi Brendon McCullum as the coach, Stokes won the home test series against New Zealand.
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