Ben Stokes has been backed to deliver for England as they face a big T20 World Cup match against New Zealand on Tuesday.
England are third in Group 1 with two games to play, dropping below Australia after their loss to Ireland on Monday.
Jos Buttler’s side can’t afford to slip up against the Black Caps, but assistant coach Paul Collingwood believes this is the kind of scenario in which superstar Stokes thrives.
The Test captain averages just 18.57 in the shortest format and has never reached a T20I fifty, yet Collingwood has no doubts about his ability in “must-win games”.
“The only person you want in your team when the pressure is on is Ben Stokes,” Collingwood said.
“We all know what he’s capable of, and not just winning games, but winning games under a lot of pressure.
“If it comes down to the crunch, you want a man like Ben Stokes to go.
“It’s not just what he gives with the bat – the options with the ball and the skill level he brings to the field as well. It’s not always just the runs he makes, it’s everything else he gives.
“But I’m pretty sure there’s a round just around the corner, and now we’re entering the crucial part of the World Cup, it’s almost a knock-out stage for us.
“They’re must-win games. You always see Ben come out on top in those situations.”
Opponents New Zealand are in a healthier position after two wins from their two completed matches, topping the table.
But fast bowler Lockie Ferguson knows his side cannot afford complacency as they prepare to face England.
“There’s a long way to go for us and we’ve got to make sure we take it game by game,” he said.
“England will have a lot of firepower for us to fight against in the next game. I’m sure the boys will be ready for the next challenge.
“[I expect] what do you always expect from England. They come out very hot, boast that aggressive nature, and beat very deep.
“We have to come out with our brand of aggressive play, but that doesn’t mean it’s any different than what we’ve been doing.”
