Ben Stokes can be another Joe Root: Andrew Flintoff

Former English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff recently spoke at length about the current hot property of international cricket – Ben Stokes. Stokes is being hailed as the next Andrew Flintoff of world cricket. But if Flintoff is to be believed, then Stokes is a much better cricketer than Flintoff ever was. As per the quotes in the Dailymail.co.uk, Flintoff noted that Stokes is any day better than him.

He conceded that he is not being humble when he is making such remarks. Also, he stressed on the fact that Ben Stokes can actually bat higher up the order. Also, he remarked that Stokes is proper batsman who can be as good as the English skipper Joe Root. The bowling only comes as yet another add on for him. This makes him a complete cricketer altogether.

“I genuinely don’t think there is a comparison. He’s better than me. I’m not being humble here or playing myself down. I was decent, yes. But Ben Stokes can be another level. He needs to set his sights higher. Don’t call him an all-rounder, for a start. He’s better than that! I always thought being an all-rounder suggested you can do a bit of everything but you’re not a master of any of it. Ben Stokes can bat. He’s a batter,” quoted Andrew Flintoff.

“We look for this mythical all-rounder in our country, a player who is Superman. And then when he’s not, we like to pick faults. Stokes is more than that. He could bat at three for England. He could be the best pick at No 3 for any country in the world. He can be another Joe Root. He’s a proper batsman. You see his technique, shot selection, aggression,” said the former cricketer.

“Oh, he can bowl too. We’ve seen that. Ask the South Africans. Trust me, he’s better than me, better than Ian Botham too. Beefy was a hero of mine, but Stokes is a better cricketer. Better than all of us,” he added further.

On the Ashes

Speaking about the celebrated rivalry – the Ashes, Andrew Flintoff commented that England are almost certain to win the Ashes this year. He pointed out that they have their best combination possible at the moment. The English lineup is better than ever before and hence, there is absolutely no doubt why they will not be winning the Ashes. A prediction way too direct, eh?

“It’s not about if they will win The Ashes, but by how much? People won’t agree with this — because we like to talk down our teams — but this can be the best England team of all time. Think about it. We’ve got the best batsman ever, Alastair Cook, England’s best bowler in Jimmy Anderson, the captain, Root, who can be whatever he wants to be, Stuart Broad’s figures are excellent. Jonny Bairstow at seven. Stop talking about why he should bat up the order. Moeen Ali batting at No 8. And Ben Stokes!” conceded Freddie.

“England will win the Ashes this winter. I just want them to stop concentrating on what they can’t do and think about what they can,” he conceded further.

On the IPL riches

Earlier this year, Ben Stokes was bought for a whopping money sum at the IPL auctions. He was the most expensive player. Flintoff feels that the IPL riches will not be a distraction for him. He conceded that the intensity that Stokes shows for the national outfit is unmatched. Hence, there is no question of him being deviated.

“Look at him playing for our country. Do you think he looks like a man chasing the money or a man who is happiest out there in his England kit? I’m sure with the money they pay him, he’s got a lovely house and a nice new car but he wants to perform for his team-mates, for England… And who remembers who wins the IPL? You remember who wins the Ashes,” quoted Flintoff.

One piece of advice

Andrew Flintoff had a piece of advice for the young all-rounder though. He feels that Stokes should not try and run behind the captaincy role. He should be happy with the hat of the vice captain. Citing his own example, Flintoff said that the task could get tiring. However, he mentioned the fact that with Stokes everything is unpredictable.

“Stay as vice-captain. Stay there. He might have aspirations to be England captain but don’t do it! I can’t speak for him, but if I am relating it to my career, I found it one job too many. I found it so hard. Bowling, batting, captain. You had to go back to your room and switch off but I couldn’t. It was draining. I didn’t know when to bowl myself. I ended up, “I’ll bowl” or if something needed doing, “I’ll do it”,” he concluded.