England registered a tense 26-run victory over Pakistan in the second Test in Multan on Monday (December 12) to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Ever since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum assumed the roles of captain and head coach respectively, England have played Test cricket with an ultra-aggressive approach. Under their leadership, the Three Lions have defeated New Zealand and South Africa at home and also won the one-off Test against India at Edgbaston.
Now, the series win with the same approach in Pakistan shows how far the Stokes-led side has come in the last seven months.
After the outcome in Pakistan, former England skipper Michael Atherton hailed Stokes as one of England's greatest-ever Test captains.
This was England's eighth win in nine Tests under Ben Stokes’ captaincy as he completely turned the team’s fortunes after the Ashes and West Indies Test tour debacles earlier this year.
"Well, he has transformed England's Test match team. He has just completely galvanized them with virtually the same players. Think of those players in the Ashes, in the Carribean before he took over. It's virtually the same team with one or two little changes. They played the same team throughout the summer. Alex Lees gave way here," Atherton said while speaking on Sky Sports.
"He has transformed and galvanized the outfit. You know, it's just the measure of leadership, really. As I said last week, he is going to be a very significant England captain. He's going to be one of the greatest ever captains by the time he finishes, I think," he added.
"I can't remember or think of another captain, certainly for England, and I'm trying to think more worldwide, who has had such a dramatic and immediate impact upon taking over."
"Think where England were. I stood here at the end of the Ashes calling for the heads of the captain and the coach and the director of cricket. England were terrible at the end of the Ashes. And then getting beaten in the Carribean. Suddenly, the whole team has completely transformed and galvanized under different leadership," he continued.
Atherton also had special praise reserved for the leadership group that includes coach Brendon McCullum.
"The combination of Stokes and McCullum. That clear messaging that we have talked about and the creation of an attitude where it's not a be all and end all. It doesn't matter if we get beat. We're gonna give it a go. What's the McCullum quote? We're gonna plan for the future and live for the moment and that kind of attitude where they throw themselves into it and give it a damn good go and suddenly, they look a transformed side. It is amazing really for those of us who have seen it through that period how it has changed and that's down to leadership. Incredible!" said Atherton.
