honestbharani
Well-known member
I am not saying he has to bat like Kallis or he is a similar batsman to Kallis. Maybe his style of play will be likely more Lara than Kallis but the point is he has supreme talent with the bat and reasonable talent with the ball. It will make it all the more easier for England to make this call now and start batting him at 4 and use him as the 6th bowler and 4th seamer, meaning he might bowl 5-8 overs lesser than if he would have been batting 6, which is not really much of a loss, given you would gain his improved batsmanship.I just don't think you are going to make Stokes into Kallis, he is a totally different cricketer, very fine batsman for sure but there is nothing wrong with a very fine batsman batting at 6. I was all for Root moving to 3 at the time but Root at 4 followed by Baistow, Stokes and Moeen looks very strong to me, probably puts everyone in their best position. That leaves the top order to sort out but that has been the problem the whole time. Hameed looks like he is going to be a huge part in that, maybe Jennings could be the next, who knows but I don't think you just give up.
Stokes is so good it's almost a detriment. You feel his batting ability is wasted down at 6, but also that he is being under-bowled if he isn't bowling 15-20 overs a day.
It's a nice problem to have
I'd bat him at 6, play Moeen, Rashid and Woakes, and then play 2 more quicks and stack the batting. 4 quicks 2 spinners and batting depth for ages.
Its pretty much what they have done in India, except they have had the 3rd spinner ahead of the 4th seamer but I honestly think long term, it will be to the detriment of their side. Stokes is a good to very good bowler at best but he has the potential to be one of the greats as a batsman. I know how I would use him.

