‘Lets emotion get involved’: Australian great reveals ‘weakness’ that could derail Ben Stokes
Australian great Brad Haddin has revealed the “number-one weakness” that could end up derailing Ben Stokes in the Ashes series.
Stokes is the front man of England’s current era as both the captain, but also a key member of the batting order and bowling attack.
The 34-year-old hasn’t had a major impact with the willow so far, but did take a five-wicket haul in Perth and picked up another two poles on Friday at the Gabba.
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Stokes nicked off Marnus Labuschagne during the second session, before knocking over Josh Inglis under lights to return figures of 2-93 from 17 overs.
However, despite taking some key wickets at important times, Stokes was visibly frustrated on numerous occasions as England struggled to stay on top.
He was also spotted swigging some pickle juice due to cramps and wincing – perhaps not in pain, but at least in discomfort – during his spells of bowling.
There were concerns over Stokes’ fitness before the Ashes even started and Haddin believes the England skipper could end up over-bowling himself in Brisbane.
“I hope so – and that’s one thing Australia would have spoken about at the start of the series,” the former Test keeper said on Willow Talk.
“Ben Stokes can sometimes let emotion get involved in the game.
“He’s a competitor, he wants to win and he’s one of those captains who wants the ball in his hands all the time … that’s what the England players and crowd love about him.
Ben Stokes leaves the field on day two Getty
“He can bowl marathon spells of 10 overs and it’s hard work in Australian conditions. The more you can take Stokes’ legs away, the less effect he will have with the bat.
“The longer you stay out there, the more he will want to say ‘give me the ball, I will fix this’ and that’s better for Australia. He competes on every play and that’s his number-one strength, but I think that can also be his number-one weakness.
“There was a stage late in the day where he set a field for short-pitched bowling and [Gus] Atkinson came on and bowled the wrong length and got hit down the ground and he was filthy because he had to chase it.
“He wants the ball in his hands and wants to be there in the big moments, but what we want to see is to make sure he keeps coming back and bowling in the heat.”
The same issues were raised during the Fox Cricket broadcast when Joe Root was spotted mouthing “get off the f—–g pitch” while Stokes was bowling.
Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Fox Cricket
“He has just got to be very careful,” Michael Vaughan said on commentary.
“This will be Joe Root’s job here to just go and speak to his pal. ‘Get off the pitch’ he is saying because he knows and we all know how important Ben Stokes is for this side.
“He can’t do it all now. If he breaks down England have got no chance. With Ben they can beat anyone. Without Ben they beat no one or very few.
“You have just got to be sensible.”
Stokes bowled the same amount of overs as specialist quick Brydon Carse on Friday, while the side’s main man Jofra Archer bowled 20 and Atkinson bowled 18.
Archer had his moments with the ball but in comparison to the spearhead of the Aussie bowling attack in Mitchell Starc, the Barbados-born quick didn’t have much impact.
Jofra Archer. Getty
“Archer at times bowled well,” Haddin said.
“At times, he stood up and bowled well – but he didn’t have the X-factor of Starcy. I’d ask for more [if I was him]. He worked hard and at times, bowled some quick balls.
“I just think he didn’t get enough balls in the right area as much as Mitchell Starc did.”
The other member of England’s bowling attack, off-spinner Will Jacks, bowled one over for the entire day after coming in to replace the injured Mark Wood.
Australia will resume at 6-378 and already hold a 44-run first innings lead.
