London, June 3: Former England batsman Mark Butcher has raised concerns about captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bat at number seven for the first Test against New Zealand, starting Thursday at Lord’s.
Butcher expressed his doubts on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, stating, “Why does he need to come in at seven? I don’t understand. I’m surprised if this decision was made because Stokes thinks, ‘I’m our best bowler, I’ll take the new ball.’ In my opinion, we have better options available.”
He reminisced about the 1980s, recalling how Ian Botham often batted at five while also starting the bowling. “He dominated everything. I would prefer to see Ben at six,” Butcher added.
Discussing his uncertainty about Stokes batting at seven, Butcher noted, “When he’s playing well in terms of skill and temperament, he provides balance to the players around him. We don’t know what Emilio will do. Root is regularly batting at four in Tests. Stokes has played at six, and Jamie Smith is performing better at seven.”
Butcher also expressed surprise at the absence of Jofra Archer in the Lord’s Test.
The first Test of the three-match series between England and New Zealand begins on June 4 at Lord’s.
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