One of the greatest all-rounders of the cricketing world and England captain Ian Botham has lavished huge praises on Ben Stokes, calling him the biggest name in the world cricket at the moment. The former great praised Stokes not only for his on-field heroics but also for the work that he puts in off it.
“Nowadays, Ben Stokes is obviously right up there. He’s box-office, he’s great to watch, he’s fantastic for the dressing room,” Botham said in an interview to Wisden’s Monthly Cricket Magazine’s special issue.
Botham, 65, also praised the World Cup-winning all-rounder’s leadership qualities in which he motivates his teammates, be it from England or from his County Durham to do well.
“Even at Durham, if he’s got a day off, and they don’t get too many these days, he’ll pop in and see the boys. He’s very much a Durham boy and wants to see how the team is doing. He’s exceptional. For me, probably the biggest name in world cricket at the moment,” said Botham.
Asked about who he considers as the greatest all-rounder, the recently nominated member of the House of Lords said that although his childhood hero had been Kenny Barrington, for him, West Indian Garry Sobers stood above all.
“Garry Sobers. He did everything. As all-rounders go, I think Garry was the most complete: fantastic fielder, magnificent batsman, averaging above 50, he could bowl left-arm swing and also bowl Chinamen. That’s probably the ultimate in being an all-rounder,” he said.
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