Former England captain Nasser Hussain fears that the star all-rounder and Test skipper, Ben Stokes, might not continue playing international cricket for too long due to his knee injury.
Hussain also raised concerns about the all-rounder's ability to bowl in the near future. Notably, Stokes has been dealing with a knee issue since the Test tour of New Zealand last year.
Stokes played with the knee issue during the 2023 Ashes and the 2023 World Cup, but only as a batter. Recently, the star all-rounder underwent surgery to be fully fit for the upcoming Test series in India next month.
Meanwhile, Hussain admitted that Stokes is a crucial player for England, especially because of his leadership qualities, but the ex-captain expressed concern about his diminishing cricketing abilities.
Nasser Hussain was quoted as saying by Sky Sports: “Stokes is three cricketers in one, he's a batter, a bowler, and a captain which makes him a pivotal cricketer, especially in those conditions with his leadership qualities. I'm not sure how much Stokes is going to bowl in the future of his career. Stokes is such a main man for England but they have to learn to live without him.”
Hussain signed off by saying, “The reason he had the operation was to help him bowl more, but the last two years he's been hobbling around and to a degree, it's affected his batting too. We've seen him play certain shots and then collapse. In a five-match Test series in the heat, you can't afford that.”
Notably, England’s Test tour of India will begin with the first Test on January 25th in Hyderabad.
(With Sky Sports Inputs)
