Ben Stokes: Ross Taylor’s demand was not heard, Ben Stokes would have been playing for New Zealand, England would not have become the world champion!

New Delhi: New Zealand could not win the 2019 World Cup due to Ben Stokes born in his own country. At the age of 12, Stokes came to England with his father. Even after learning cricket in England, Stokes would have been playing for New Zealand today and England might not have won the World Cup. These have been disclosed by former New Zealand captain and veteran batsman Ross Taylor. He has told in his autobiography in black and white how he took the initiative to include Stokes in the New Zealand team.

Stokes wanted to play New Zealand
In 2010, Ross Taylor played for the county team Durham. Ben Stokes was also part of that team. He then asked Stokes if he wanted to play for New Zealand and the all-rounder had agreed. Taylor wrote, ‘He was 18 or 19. I asked him if he wanted to come and play in New Zealand. He was curious so I sent a message to New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan saying this guy Stokes is a good young cricketer and is interested in playing for New Zealand.

On this message from Ross Taylor, Vaughan said that he will have to play domestic cricket in New Zealand. Taylor wrote, ‘Vaughan replied that he has to play domestic cricket first, then we see what can happen. I again said that we should offer more as he is not going to start from zero.

Board not supported
Taylor says that Ben was ready to play for New Zealand, but the board had to act fast and give solid assurances, which Vaughan was unwilling to do. In 2011, Ben Stokes got the chance to debut for England. He soon became one of the top all-rounders in the world. Stokes played an unbeaten innings of 84 runs in the final of the 2019 World Cup. It was because of his innings that England became the world champion.