thread title is incorrect, surely it should read
Sir Ben Stokes
Without question.
What i would say, is that if anything it showed theres no place for both Malan (at 3) and Stokes (4) in this lineup due to the role they are good at, i'd still love to find a spot for Root

however Bairstow has to come back in as opener for me with Hales shifting to 3.
I'd have no qualms if Stokes didnt play in the T20 side again, whats he got left to achieve, boost his averages a bit, take a few more wickets, maybe win another world cup (that last one sounds good though)
Really think he still has enough to offer for the 50 over side and wish he hadnt packed it in before next years cup.
Sidenote - Ali was pretty emotional, wonder if he's thinking the end is near
west indies and that string of ducks, Bristol, that over in the 2016 final, his poor form in 2017-18, the finger break, the mental health, the last Ashes series in Oz.
Has any England player beside Botham hit such lows and incredible highs (The Worlds cup rate higher for me than Bothams Ashes) in their career
Tbf on form and experience in the format and in the role at 4 he didnt have alot going for picking him (coupled with Duckett and Brooks form and Bairstow getting injured). Wasnt even a small sample size of matches either.
What he had, and what Buttler repeatedly stated was that Stokes would show up when England needed him most and twice he answered with 2 of his 3 best scores in the format in the effective Quarter final and final.
I just find it funny that both those knocks came with Malan not batting and both games had Stokes batting time before accelerating at the end.
Theres the role for him, but do we need both him and Malan fulfilling a similar function in the team.
Stokes bowling was a revelation this tournament mind, wickets and under 7 economy with the ball, never bowled better in this format.
And yes, i think theres no doubt every English fan loves Ben Stokes now
Agreed on both fronts