'He's a top-four player'- England coach Matthew Motts on Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes [Image Credit- Twitter]

England white-ball coach Matthew Motts has reiterated skipper Jos Buttler's views on Ben Stokes, stating that the management needs to give the superstar all-rounder the best possible chance to thrive in the shortest format of the game.

Stokes returned to the English T20I team for the first time since March 2021 in the 1st T20I against Australia in Perth on Sunday.

Stokes' T20I numbers with the bat are underwhelming: 451 runs in 35 matches at 19.60/135.84, but it is worth noting that most of those knocks have come when he has batted in the lower-middle-order.

Before the opening T20I against Australia, captain Buttler asserted that England will be looking to bat Stokes "as high as possible".

On Sunday, Stokes came out to bat at No.3, but he could only manage a run-a-ball 9 before getting dismissed by Marcus Stoinis.

After the game, coach Motts revealed that Stokes could bat at No.4 in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Here's what Matthew Motts said:

"One of the things that's been said for a while is that he hasn't had a clear role," he explained.

 "And Jos in particular is clear that he's a top-four player. Those conditions in Australia will suit the way he plays. You always have a bit of flexibility with the batting but he will be expected to be higher in the innings."