England Test captain Ben Stokes made headlines on Saturday, June 1, as he linked up with the national football squad in preparation for the upcoming 2024 Euros in Germany. While many expected him to be honing his skills for the T20 World Cup, Stokes surprised fans by focusing on red-ball cricket and aligning himself with the football squad instead.
Amidst the ongoing cricket action in the Caribbean, where most of the England cricket team members are currently engaged, Stokes has been actively participating in County Championship matches for Durham. Following Durham’s impressive victory over Somerset last week, the dynamic all-rounder was spotted joining the football team’s camp.
Gareth Southgate, the England football manager, has already assembled a provisional squad for the highly anticipated tournament. With the deadline looming on Friday, June 7, Southgate faces the challenging task of whittling down the talented pool of players. Stokes’ appearance in the camp has undoubtedly added an intriguing dimension to the selection process.
In footage released by the England camp, Stokes could be seen engaging in discussions with Southgate, as well as exchanging pleasantries with prominent footballers such as captain Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ivan Toney, Cole Palmer, Marc Guehi, James Maddison, and Jack Grealish.
As speculation swirls around Stokes’ dual commitment and the potential impact on both cricket and football, fans eagerly anticipate further developments in this unexpected crossover between two of England’s most beloved sports.
