If Ben Stokes is in the starting XI for World Cup then he would be ideal for No. 6: Mark Butcher

Mark Butcher, former England cricketer, spoke about Ben Stokes' ideal batting position in the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 which is set to be played in India from October 5 to November 19. Stokes has reversed his retirement decision from the 50-over format to help England defend their World Cup title.

England skipper Jos Buttler has played at No. 6 during the 2019 World Cup. However, the wicketkeeper-batter is currently batting at the top of the order, Butcher feels Stokes is ideal for the sixth position. 

"If you have gone to Ben and brought him in the side then that's his position (No. 6) isn't it? The guy who has the ability to play through all the gears from 1 to 8. You're quite happy watching Ben walk out to bat at 90/4 with 30 overs left to bat. If Ben Stokes is in the starting XI then he would be ideal for No. 6," Butcher told Wisden Cricket.

The 51-year-old further spoke about England's World Cup squad balance. He stated that there are a lot of pacemen on the roster but not enough specialist batters and bowlers.

"One can wonder whether there are too many medium-pace all-rounders in the squad and not enough specialist batters and bowlers of higher pace and do they need as many quicks as they are taking at the moment," he added.

The curtain raiser of the World Cup will be played between the 2019 World Cup finalists, England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, hosts India will begin their campaign against five-time champions Australia on October 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

England's provisional World Cup squad: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.