"I think some consultation might be quite nice" - England Test captain Ben Stokes backs more player input over crammed international schedule
England's Test captain Ben Stokes reckons more player input should be taken before deciding the international cricket calendar. His comments came in the wake of the team's crammed schedule for the next 12 months.
England are taking on the West Indies in a three-match Test series at home. The hosts have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The third and final match begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday, July 26.
At the pre-match press conference ahead of the third Test against the West Indies, Stokes shared his candid views on the packed international schedule that awaits England. The all-rounder stated, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo:
"It is something that does need to be addressed. Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well?
"It does need to get looked at. The landscape is constantly changing. I don't think anyone can put their hand on their heart and say they know what cricket is going to look like in even two years' time."
The 33-year-old also opined that consulting players before finalizing the Future Tour Programs would be a sensible move.
"I think some consultation might be quite nice, obviously to Jos (Buttler) and myself. The FTP could maybe see the people playing in it consulted, and I think we could have some good input in that," the England Test skipper said.
In the past as well, Stokes has raised concerns over the jam-packed international schedule. He even announced premature retirement from ODIs citing the same reason before reversing the decision ahead of last year's World Cup.
England's schedule after the West Indies series
After the ongoing series against the West Indies, England play a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts at Old Trafford on August 21.
It will be followed by a T20I series against Australia. The Englishmen also play an ODI series against their old rivals before facing Pakistan in a three-Test away series.
Only days after the conclusion of the Pakistan tour, England will feature in a white-ball series in West Indies. They will then head to New Zealand for three Tests towards the end of the year.
They begin 2025 with a white-ball tour of India, featuring five ODIs and three T20Is, which will be followed by the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February.