The new Test skipper feels shifting down will allow him to perform all roles while not compromising the team
New England Test captain Ben Stokes is planning to move back down to No.6 in the batting order in an effort to balance his multiple responsibilities.
The superstar allrounder will have the added burden of leading the red-ball team after succeeding Joe Root as skipper.
In an effort to ensure he can still perform to his best he will shift down the batting line-up, to ease the pressure on his shoulders.
"I am going back to number six," he said.
"I know I am at my best for England when I am doing both roles [batting and bowling] as much as the other.
"I personally feel that going back to No.6 is going to allow me to concentrate on those roles as much as the other, rather than worry about one while I am doing the other.
"I feel that's best for the team."
Stokes has spent much of the last 14 months at No.5 - only twice coming in later as Jack Leach was deployed as a nightwatchman - as a key figure in an otherwise fragile batting order.
Stokes needs no convincing to bring back Anderson and Broad (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
In 49 innings in the role he has scored 1,859 runs at 39.55, with five centuries including that memorable 135 not out against Australia at Headingley in 2019.
His record at No.6 is still formidable, scoring 2,741 runs at 36.54 with six hundreds. It was from that position he struck a Test-best 258 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016.
The change should allow Stokes to continue as a vital presence in the bowling attack, in which he has become increasingly crucial.
After managing director of England men's cricket Rob Key confirmed that James Anderson and Stuart Broad would be back in contention for a Test recall against New Zealand next month, Stokes said he would be "stupid" to overlook the pair, who missed the West Indies tour in March.
"The best chance to win Test matches is by picking your 11 best players and if James Anderson and Stuart Broad are fit, they are up for selection because they are the two best bowlers in England," he told Sky Sports of the pair, who have 1,177 Test wickets between them.
"They are two of the greats of the game and, in my opinion, it would be stupid to never consider them for selection. They are part of the best XI, so, yeah, it's pretty simple."
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