Ben Stokes Was Keen To Play For New Zealand? – Massive Revelation By Former New Zealand Cricketer

 Ben Stokes Was Keen To Play For New Zealand? – Massive Revelation By Former New Zealand Cricketer

Ross Taylor and Ben Stokes (Image Source: Twitter)

Ross Taylor is known as one of the most decorated batters of New Zealand Cricket. On the other side, Ben Stokes is known as one of the best all-rounders of all time for England. However, New Zealand was the native country for Stokes. But, he is pursuing his cricketing career for England only.

Now, Ross Taylor came up with a shocking revelation regarding Stokes’ chances of playing for New Zealand rather than England. In his recently-published book, Ross Taylor Black & White, Taylor revealed that in 2010, he asked Stokes about his chances to represent New Zealand.

“I asked Ben Stokes if he wanted to come and play in New Zealand. He was keen” – Ross Taylor on Ben Stokes

Taylor said that Stokes was very keen to play for New Zealand. Therefore, he sent a message to New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan. He said: “He was 18 or 19 and very much a Kiwi,’’ Taylor wrote. “Over a Guinness, I asked him if he wanted to come and play in New Zealand. He was keen so I sent a message to New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan saying this guy Stokes was a really good young cricketer and interested in playing for New Zealand.”

However, Vaughn wanted Ben Stokes to start from the bottom in the domestic arena. Ross Taylor had the idea that Stokes will not consider that as he needed a strong assurance. He said: “Vaughan replied along the lines that he could start playing domestic cricket and we’d see where it went. I went back saying we’d have to offer him more than that because he wouldn’t be interested if it meant starting on the bottom rung of the ladder. Obviously, it didn’t come to anything.”

Taylor also added that the New Zealand Cricket Board could have acted swiftly regarding this situation. “Ben was sincere about playing for New Zealand, but NZC would’ve had to have acted swiftly and decisively and given him some pretty solid assurances, which Vaughan clearly wasn’t prepared to do.’’ Taylor wrote. Eventually, Ben Stokes ended up playing for England. He also came up as the match winner in the 2019 World Cup for England against New Zealand.

Steven

Related post

1 Comment

Comments are closed.