Following Ben Stokes’ thunderous knock of 161 runs from 88 balls for Durham against Worcestershire, Kevin Pietersen has once again disapproved of the bowling quality in the County Championship, England’s premier domestic first-class cricket competition, system and has once again proposed for the counties to be made franchise-based and not location-based as they are currently.
In his return to first-class cricket for the first time since being named England’s new Test captain, Ben Stokes utterly clattered the Worcestershire bowling attack, walloping 17 sixes, including 5 in an over along with 8 fours in his sizzling innings.
He came at number 6 in the 99th over of the innings and flexed his arms straightaway. In the 117th over, the left-hander reined into left-arm spinner Josh Baker and plundered him for five sixes off the first five balls and was a couple of yards away from the sixth six as it went for a boundary.
He continued this assault until he was finally dismissed by Brett D’Oliveira in the 128th over and had forced his side’s score to 180.
Everyone expressed awe for Ben Stokes’ shot-making and ball-striking abilities, the ease with which he was able to clatter all the opposition bowlers.
After hailing England’s newest Test skipper for his excellent batsmanship today, Kevin Pietersen, however, also raised a point that he’s been making for a long time given the dire state of England’s Test team which has won only one of their last 17 Tests.
Pietersen, who has always been an advocate of moving forward and trying innovative stuff, pleaded his case for a franchise-based County Championship, by pointing out the poor bowling dished out to Stokes.
“We ALL know the absolute quality of Ben Stokes. But, have a look at this bowling and please tell me that County Cricket doesn’t need to be franchised?!?!” the former England batsman tweeted getting plenty of varied opinions and suggestions from fans.
Here, check out Kevin Pietersen’s tweet:
We ALL know the absolute quality of Ben Stokes. But, have a look at this bowling and please tell me that County Cricket doesn’t need to be franchised?!?! https://t.co/y5CeJ0Fr8C
— Kevin Pietersen
(@KP24) May 6, 2022
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