Key: Ben could be white ball skipper

ENGLAND could spring a surprise by asking Ben Stokes to take charge of their ailing white-ball side, with managing director Rob Key admitting “it would be stupid” not to consider the Test skipper.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Jos Buttler stood down as limited-overs captain after his disappointing reign concluded with a dismal Champions Trophy campaign that left his side nursing a run of 10 defeats from 11 games since the turn of the year.

His vice-captain, Harry Brook, was thought to be at the front of the queue should the next generation be asked to step up but Key, the managing director of men’s cricket, is giving himself time to consider his options.

And, in an unexpected move, expanding Stokes’ brief appears to be one of them.

The 33-year-old has proved a natural and inspirational frontman since taking over the red-ball side from Joe Root but his age and injury issues - he is currently recovering from a second serious hamstring issue in a year and previously had major knee surgery - mean he has operated as a Test specialist for almost 18 months.