1 Year Before England Debut, Ben Stokes Had Almost Become A New Zealand Cricketer

1 year before England debut, their current Test captain Ben Stokes was provided with an opportunity to become a part of home country New Zealand’s national team. The star all-rounder was just 19 years of age at the time. However, as fate would have it, stars were aligned for him to be blessed as England Cricket’s prized-possession.

At the centre of this story was former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor. Playing alongside Stokes for Durham in the year 2010, Taylor seemed to be quite impressed with Stokes’ talent with both the bat and ball.

Quite aware of his roots as a New Zealander as well, the legendary Kiwi batter decided to ask him whether or not he wished to play for the New Zealand in the future. With Stokes showing a keen interest on the offer, Taylor did not waste much time to make the imperative move right away.

Ben Stokes Had Almost Become A New Zealand Cricketer In 2010

As admitted by Taylor in his autobiography titled “Ross Taylor: Black & White” released last year, the former Black Caps international reached out to the then NZC (New Zealand Cricket) CEO Justin Vaughan to discuss the matter.

Taylor tried to convince Vaughan that he had spotted a really talented player in Durham, and who should be presented with an offer to become part of New Zealand Cricket.

“He was 18 or 19 and very much a Kiwi. Over a Guinness, I asked him if he wanted to come and play in New Zealand. He was keen so I sent a message to New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan saying this guy Stokes was a really good young cricketer and interested in playing for New Zealand.”

For those unaware, Stokes was born in New Zealand’s Christchursh in June 1991, and had only emigrated to England (at the age of 12) with his family after his father Gerard Stokes landed a job as the head coach at Workington Rugby League Club in West Cumbria.

Why Didn’t NZC Allow Ben Stokes To Play For New Zealand?

Vaughan, however, insisted that Stokes could very well become part of New Zealand cricket, but would have to play domestic cricket in the country to begin with. However, Taylor was of the view that the board would have to offer more to Stokes as he would not be willing to start all over again from the bottom.

Vaughan, however, was adamant and not in a mood to provide Stokes with some solid assurance pertaining a secure future in New Zealand.

“Vaughan replied along the lines that he [Stokes] could start playing domestic cricket and we’d see where it went. Ben was sincere about playing for New Zealand, but NZC would’ve had to have acted swiftly and decisively and given him some pretty solid assurances, which Vaughan clearly wasn’t prepared to do.”

As a result of some remarkable performances for Durham during the 2010 season, Stokes was ultimately picked for England’s Performance Programme, which is the road to international cricket for promising young English cricketers. As a result, at the age of 20, he made his international debut for England in an ODI match against Ireland in Dublin the following year.