England captain Ben Stokes has tried to swat away rumors about his knee issues revealing that he bowled in nets during the recent one-off Ireland Test at Lord’s and felt very happy with his progress. His statement comes just 2 weeks before the first Ashes 2023 Test against Australia begins.
England captain Stokes declared with the hosts on 524-4, meaning he didn’t have to bat. And having struggled with a left knee injury since England’s tour of New Zealand in February, the paceman also opted against bowling himself in this lone Test.
The all-rounder looked as if he might become the first England captain since Harold Gilligan Stokes tries to allay fitness fears 93 years ago not to bat, bowl, hold a catch or make a stumping in a Test.
But Stokes avoided joining an exclusive club when he caught Curtis Campher off part-time off-spinner Joe Root during Saturday’s morning session. But him hobbling off to his teammates was a worrying sign.
But Stokes rubbished all concerns as he told a post-match news conference on Saturday: “I bowled this morning (in the nets) for the first time in four weeks and I felt really good. I was really happy with how I bowled. I bowled for about 20 minutes and I got through that really well. Obviously, I have got time to build up before I push back into flat out but I just landed quite awkwardly when I took that catch.
I didn’t quite see it so had to adjust myself and landed on my left leg. It twisted in a really strange way but it was fine, I just don’t know what really happened. It was one of those things, but I am 32 tomorrow (Sunday) so that probably explains it.”
This was England’s 11th Test win in 13 matches since Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have joined forces and introduced ‘bazball’ to the world of Test cricket.
Play had resumed on Saturday with Ireland on 97/3 and still 255 runs adrift with England on line to win by an innings.
But a record stand for Ireland in Test cricket of 163 between tailenders Mark Adair and Andy McBrine, gave Ireland a slight lead, making the England team bat again to win the Test by 10 wickets. Mark Adair made 88 runs, while Andy McBrine made 86 runs, failing to make it on the Lord’s honors board.
“I thought the guys played well. We showed glimpses today and can be proud of that. It’s hard to come here before the Ashes but these are the fixtures we’ve been given.
It’s a huge event for us, a lot of focus on that for us. (Now we) dust ourselves off, get on a plane and hopefully produce good cricket,” Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said ahead of the World Cup qualifier even in Zimbabwe.
(AFP inputs)
