Ben Stokes has packed so much into his 30 years on this planet that his first outing as England’s permanent Test captain starting at breakneck speed, and featuring more action than a Hollywood blockbuster, should probably be no surprise.
And it’s not like we weren’t warned, either. When Rob Key decided Brendon McCullum was the ideal head coach to pair with Stokes, the director of men’s cricket told folks to “buckle up and get ready for the ride”. An opening day of 17 wickets and 248 runs played out to the burbling hum of Lord’s, initially dominated by the hosts but with New Zealand fighting back in the final session, certainly met that billing.
