England skipper Ben Stokes has earned praise for his bowling but critics say his batting suffers from a lack of competitive time. Durham’s County Championship campaign saw him take five wickets in two matches, yet he has scored only 59 runs so far. Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton urge him to cut the net tinkering for practice.

Hussain warned that Stokes’ over‑netting keeps him stuck in a “bad‑habit” cycle, citing a past 18‑month period when the captain copied Harry Brook’s stance and later altered his crease position. Atherton noted injuries like a fractured cheekbone have limited match play, but the former captain insists competitive games are essential for all players, even veterans ahead of the summer tests.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell echoed the sentiment, asking Stokes to abandon “bad habits” picked up from too much net work. With the Test series looming, the captain’s batting form will influence England’s selection strategy. If Stokes fails to convert practice into runs, the England board may reconsider his role for the season now ahead.