England Test captain Ben Stokes has affirmed that the status of his knee injury is “much better” than what it was during the second Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve three months ago. Having played only two Test matches and as many T20s in 2023 thus far, the 31-year old player remained hopeful of his prospect of bowling during an imminent one-off Test against Ireland.
Advertisement
Stokes, who was addressing the reporters on the eve of the match, sounded way more assertive than he was in Wellington with respect to contributing as a bowler. Readers must note that the right-arm bowler has bowled only 10 overs in representative cricket this year.
“The knee is obviously in a much better place than was in Wellington. I’ve been in India for the IPL over the last nine to 10 weeks but what I have done is get myself into a position where I am not able to look back and regret or say I have not given myself the best opportunity to play a full role with the ball this summer.”
Ben Stokes Answers If He Will Bowl In Lord’s Test vs Ireland
Stokes, who adds immense balance to the English team when he bowls, was bound to be asked about whether he would bowl in the first international match of the home summer or not. Not surprisingly, Stokes was repetitively asked the question, to which his response was to give “himself the best chance”.
Stokes, who laid emphasis on terms such as “frustrating period”, “tried a lot” and “no regret” throughout the interaction, would by no means want to aggravate an injury before an Ashes series which is beginning later in the month.
“I have worked incredibly hard with the medical team in Chennai, who were liasing with the ECB [England Cricket Board] guys, and got myself into a place where I feel like I am back at 2019, 2020 space in terms of my own body and fitness. I have definitely given myself the best opportunity, but the mind and body are different things. But yeah, I’ll give myself the best chance [to bowl in the next match].”
Michael Atherton Not Expecting Ben Stokes To Bowl “Too Much” vs Ireland
While pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson‘s individual absence for Ireland Test is a “precautionary measure” as per him, former England captain Michael Atherton considers Stokes’ knee injury as a “real concern”. Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket in a video posted on their Twitter handle, Atherton didn’t mince his words to state that he doesn’t expect Stokes to bowl “too much” at Lord’s tomorrow onward.
“[Ben] Stokes’ knee is the real concern because of the balance of the side. If England play only four bowlers, that puts a lot of work on those four bowlers. So, Stokes’ knee and his ability to fulfill the full all-rounder function is absolutely critical for England. I wouldn’t expect him to bowl too much in this Ireland game. We haven’t seen him bowl in practice.”
Atherton, however, strongly promoted the need for England to step on the ground with a five-member bowling attack during the Ashes. In case Stokes continues to face issues due to his knee, Atherton was full of hope that the team will be able to “cope” in some way or the other come the Ashes.
