In a positive news for England cricket fans, ace all-rounder Ben Stokes has declared himself fit and available for selection for the crucial World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday (October 21).

Stokes missed out on England’s first three games in the showpiece tournament due to a hip injury. The defending champions have lost two out of their three matches so far and they are currently occupying the fifth spot on the 10-team points table.

"It was frustrating to pick up a minor injury just before the tournament, but I've put in a lot of hard work to get back to this point and make myself available for selection,” Stokes, who sustained the injury during England’s preparations for the World Cup, told the BBC before a training session at the Wankhede Stadium.

"We have had a few days off since the last game and first training session here in Mumbai. I'll give it a good push but, yes, I think everything is pretty good. I am in a good place," he added.

Stokes was instrumental in England’s 2019 ODI World Cup triumph. He was the Player-of-the-Match in the thrilling final against New Zealand at Lord’s. No wonder, the English fans are eagerly waiting for his return to the side.  

However, Ben Stokes played down the hype surrounding around his comeback.

"I know I am one person in a team sport," said the 32-year-old. "No one looks to one person in this team to inspire them or anything like that. It is not the case that if I do come in then all of a sudden we are going to do well. It is just one of those things that gets spoken about a lot but I don't read too much into it".

"Everyone that walks out on to that field for England is a match winner and can do something individually that can win us a game. We just need to tone it down a bit on me coming back in."