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Butcher Questions England Captain Stokes’ Move To Number Seven Ahead Of Tests Against NZ
Wisden Cricket Weekly: Former England batter Mark Butcher has expressed reservations over skipper Ben Stokes’ decision to drop down to number seven in the batting order for the first Test against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on Thursday.
Stokes has batted only 17 times out of 216 innings in Tests, compared to 131 times at number six. His batting returns have dipped since the 2023 Ashes, averaging 28.17 from 23 matches with one century and seven fifties.
“Why does he need to drop down to seven? I don’t understand it. I wonder whether that’s a move because Stokes has decided, I’m our best bowler, I’m going to take the new ball, which would not be the maddest thing in the world at all. That to me is a viable and valid option as far as the guys we’ve got.”
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