Ben Stokes joins Adelaide Strikers, with Tim Paine planning a bold opening role for him.
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Shake Up Adelaide Strikers
What if Ben Stokes opens the batting in the Big Bash League?
That could soon be a big reality for Adelaide Strikers.
The England star has joined the Strikers for the upcoming BBL season.
And coach Tim Paine already has a big plan for him.
Stokes is known for his power, brave batting, and big-match skills. Now, Adelaide wants to use those skills right from the start.
Paine Wants Stokes At The Top
Tim Paine has made it clear that Stokes could open the batting for Adelaide.
This is an interesting move because Stokes usually bats in the middle order. But Paine believes the English star can do much more at the top.
Why? Because Stokes can attack the ball from the first over. He can hit strong shots all around the ground. He can also handle the fast and bouncy pitches in Australia.
Paine believes Stokes can play in every direction. That makes him a dangerous player during the powerplay.
The plan could also change how Adelaide build their top order after the loss of their usual opening combination.
- Stokes can attack anything on the first ball.
- He can play all kinds of shots around the ground.
- Australian pitches will be ideal for his assault.
- His experience could provide another vital bonus for Adelaide.
Stokes Has Numbers To Back It
There’s also the rather compelling reason behind the opening plan.
Stokes isn’t always the man to open in T20 cricket. However, when he does, his stats show that he’s a man on form.
His highest-ever T20 batting average comes when he’s opening the innings and his strike rate is also up there. In fact, it’s at around 36.53 and 138.48 respectively.
This shows that Stokes can be very destructive while also playing the cautious innings, which is something fans saw him do in a stunning unbeaten 107 for Rajasthan Royals in 2020, which was arguably one of his best-ever T20 knocks.
This just shows the kind of player Stokes is and what he can bring to the table for the Adelaide Strikers.
More Than Just A Batter
Not only can Stokes provide with the bat, but he can also bowl handy overs when needed. Paine also revealed that Stokes can be a bit faster than most people would expect with the ball in hand.
He can also swing the ball both ways, which means he can be an absolute weapon for the captain depending on the situation.
The leadership qualities Stokes possesses could also be a huge bonus for the Strikers, who haven’t really had a real leader on their team before.
Having played at the very top level for England, Stokes knows when to step up and deliver when it matters most, and he can also help his teammates through tough moments.
This means he could be very handy for the Adelaide Strikers, especially in a tightly-contested BBL match.
Why This Move Matters
Stokes’ signing goes beyond just having another quality player. It means that the Adelaide Strikers have the most high-profile international cricketer who can bat, bowl and lead from the front for their fans, as well as help draw in more fans for matches.
Putting him at the top of the order should make the Strikers a much more potent batting line-up while also giving the BBL a massive boost due to the massive following that Stokes commands around the globe, which will undoubtedly want to see him play for Adelaide.
A Big Season Ahead
Ben Stokes joining the Adelaide Strikers has created a whole heap of excitement among fans. And if Tim Paine can get Stokes to open, then fans could see a different Stokes in the BBL who can power-hit the ball to all parts of the ground, as well as provide handy options with the ball in hand and great leadership qualities that could see him become the next big name to come from the Adelaide Strikers. The big question now is simply this: can Stokes deliver for the Adelaide Strikers?
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