Ben Stokes confirms that Joe Root will bat at No. 4 for New Zealand in Tests. Stokes stated, “I’ve asked Root to go back to four, and I’m going to be at six.”
England’s newly appointed Test skipper Ben Stokes. Revealed that ex-captain Joe Root will bat at six for the upcoming home Tests against New Zealand, while the former will bat at four. Root was forced to bat third on the recent West Indies tour for the benefit of the team. It was never his natural position. The right-hander averages 39.67 at number three and 51.27 at number four, which clearly explains why Stokes wants him at number four.
There will also be a vacancy at number three, for which there are several candidates, including Tom Haines, while number five is expected to be filled by Jonny Bairstow, who hit back-to-back centuries against Australia and the West Indies. Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, and Harry Brook are also options, and the decision will be critical because it could set the tone for the next few series.
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Joe Root will bat at No. 4: He gets runs wherever he bats: Ben Stokes
Stokes stated that he spoke with Root about the batting positions and that the order for the New Zealand series has been finalized, with vacancies at three and five. He mentioned Root getting runs at any position but specifically wanted him at four to bring in the experience factor.
“I’ve already talked to him. I’ve asked him to return to four, and I’ll be at six. Joe gets runs wherever he bats, but his best position is at four. I believe him being four and me being six fills in the experience gap. “You can obviously see where the spots are opening up for people to put their hands up: three and five,” Stokes said, according to Cricbuzz.
The first Test between England and New Zealand begins at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 2.
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