3 players who can replace Stokes in England Tests

• Ben Stokes announces retirement from international cricket on 28 June
• He leaves a legacy of 7,273 red-ball runs and 252 wickets
• Dan Lawrence, James Coles and Sam Curran named as potential replacements

England Test captain Ben Stokesshocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket on June 28, confirming he will step

down following the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers England has ever produced, Stokes leaves an indelible legacy as a premier all-rounder who consistently performed at his absolute limits.

Finishing his red-ball career with 7,273 runs and 252 wickets, alongside legendary match-winning performances in limited-overs cricket, his absence leaves a massive void. Filling the shoes of such an iconic figure is a monumental task, but England must look to the future.

Here are three players who can replace Ben Stokes in England’s Test squad:

Dan Lawrence

Surrey batter Dan Lawrenceis one of the frontrunners to absorb some of the middle-order responsibility left by Stokes. Having already played 14 Tests, scoring 671 runs with four half-centuries, Lawrence possesses valuable international experience.

He is currently in blistering form, sitting as the second-highest run-scorer in County Championship Division One with 788 runs in eight matches, including five centuries. Able to slot in seamlessly at No. 5, Lawrence also offers a handy bowling option. His off-spin has netted him 64 wickets in 97 First-Class innings, making him a highly viable tactical asset.

James Coles

Representing the next generation of English cricket, Sussex’s prodigy James Colesmade history as his county’s youngest-ever First-Class debutant at just 16 years and 157 days old. His recent call-up to England’s T20I squad to face India highlights how highly he is rated by national selectors.

In First-Class cricket, Coles has amassed 3,441 runs in 97 innings and claimed 74 wickets in 84 innings. As a left-arm spinner, his profile is particularly lucrative for future tours to Asia where pitches offer significant turn. His current form remains impeccable, having struck 521 runs across eight games in the County Championship.

Sam Curran

For a genuine, like-for-like all-rounder replacement, England can look no further than Surrey’s Sam Curran. Boasting 24 Tests of experience, Curran is a proven international performer. While his First-Class batting average hovers at a healthy 30.31, it is his bowling that gives England a distinct tactical edge, having claimed 221 wickets in 147 First-Class innings.

His ability to extract lethal swing with his left-arm pace is an invaluable asset in English conditions. Backed by solid domestic leadership experience, a revitalised Curran offers the ideal balance of swing bowling and lower-middle-order batting aggression.