Essayer OR - Gratuit

Stokes looking out for number one in Test rankings fight

The Sentinel

|

May 22, 2025

ENGLAND'S Test captain Ben Stokes has set his sights on taking his team to number one in the world rankings.

- BY RORY DOLLARD

Stokes looking out for number one in Test rankings fight

Sir Andrew Strauss was the last England skipper to reach the summit back in 2011, holding the title for less than a year, but the annual update of the International Cricket Council's table recently catapulted Stokes' side from fifth to second. Only rivals Australia remain above them.

When he took over from Joe Root in 2022, the team had slumped to sixth and their lowest points tally in 27 years, but have since won 22 of their last 35 matches.

With Thursday's one-off game against Zimbabwe followed by a five-match home series against India and a huge Ashes trip Down Under to come this winter, further successes could lift them back to top.

And Stokes made his ambitions plain in a message to head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key.

PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Shoulder issue ends Junho's stint away

STOKE City have been dealt a fresh injury concern after midfielder Bae Junho was released early from the South Korea Under-22 squad with a shoulder problem.

time to read

2 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Sharp rise in reported sex offences

New figures show Stoke-on-Trent has the 22nd highest rate out of more than 300 community safety areas...

time to read

2 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

Chancellor urged to scrap tax on oil and gas profits

SCOTLAND'S Deputy First Minister has urged the Chancellor to scrap and replace the windfall tax on oil and gas at the next Budget.

time to read

1 min

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

'Vindication' in row over bin collections

Developer's revised 43 homes plan gets the go-ahead

time to read

1 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Ye Olde Grown deliver on the cup stage to progress in TB Williamson encounter

YE Olde Crown were made to work hard for their victory over a spirited AFC Stoke side in what turned into a thrilling encounter in the first round of the TB Williamson Cup.

time to read

3 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

The Sentinel

'A problem shared is a problem halved'

A SHOPKEEPER says customers call him their “psychiatrist” as he listens and helps with their problems.

time to read

2 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

Band's fundraiser for talented boxer Jas

A BAND is fundraising to help get a young female boxing star to the Netherlands for the 'opportunity of a lifetime'.

time to read

2 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Essex girls on trial with lives at stake

FAMOUS Essex boy Rylan Clark teams up with Professor Alice Roberts to investigate one of the darkest, most harrowing chapters in British history - the witchcraft trials.

time to read

1 min

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

Hundreds of names playing their part in ownership of the Potters

WHO really owns Stoke City? It was transferred from bet365 with modest fanfare to John Coates in the summer of 2024 and he hasn't asked for a whip round during subsequent transfer windows or building the new training complex.

time to read

3 mins

October 14, 2025

The Sentinel

Take the plunge and try swimming in retirement

Stripping off and diving into a swimming pool can seem daunting, but braving the water could be one of the best decisions you ever make for your mental and physical health.

time to read

2 mins

October 14, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size