'What Ben does is a bit like Virat' - Nasser Hussain feels Stokes can be an excellent captain for England

Be it his sensational match-winning Headingley knock or 2019 World Cup final heroics– it’s almost impossible to keep Ben Stokes away from the action. The New Zealand-born all-rounder has delivered phenomenal performances for England in the past one year. His expeditions also won him the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC player of the year.

It’s not an usual sight to see an animated Stokes on the field, a trait which is quite similar to India stalwart Virat Kohli. Both Kohli and Stokes are known for their never-look-back attitude while being in action. They never shy away from expressing themselves while being involved in a thrilling encounter.

Similar to Kohli, Stokes is also set to brace the captaincy role as he has been appointed as England’s skipper for the first Test against West Indies. Skipper Joe Root is set to miss the first Test to be with his wife Carrie, who is expecting the couple’s second child later this week.

Reacting to the appointment of Stokes as the skipper of the Test side, former England captain Nasser Hussain said that it’s absolutely a great choice. Hussain also pointed out similarities between Kohli and Stokes, saying that the England all-rounder will also be an excellent skipper.

“Generally, what Ben does is a bit like Virat. Everything he does, he does it at 100 mile an hour. So, I think he will be an excellent captain, he’s only a stand-in captain. Joe Root is off with that baby, his second child. I think as a stand-in captain, I am absolutely behind it, absolutely great choice, very loyal as well to Joe Root,” said Hussain on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected.

I am worried a little about Stokes’ workload: Nasser Hussain

However, Hussain also highlighted Stokes’ workload as a matter of concern. 29-year-old Stokes has been plying his trade across all formats for England and to top it off, he also has the IPL on his plate. After breaking into the national side in 2011, Stokes has donned the England jersey in 63 Tests, 95 ODIs and 26 T20Is.

“He won’t have any kind of grandeur thinking that this is my job for life. But as a long-term thing – all-rounder with so much on his plate, plays three formats, IPL possibly coming up – I think there’s too much on his shoulders, but never write-off Ben Stokes. He could make an exceptional captain, but I am worried a little bit about his workload in the future if he does it full time,” added Hussain.

Here’s the clip:

What are @nassercricket's predictions about @benstokes38's captaincy?

Hear from the man himself, with @jatinsapru tonight only on #CricketConnected! pic.twitter.com/HwlnvhEBCi

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 5, 2020