England return house from New Zealand with a uncommon chunk of defeat after the Black Caps’ ‘Miracle on the Basin’ and somewhat extra concern over the health of captain Ben Stokes, a couple of months out from the Ashes.
While Stokes had no regrets about imposing the follow-on within the one-run defeat in Wellington, he was very conscious of the situation of his left knee, which triggered him ache through the two-Test collection. Was.
Knee issues have plagued Stokes for a very long time however since taking cost of England final yr, he has registered 10 Test wins in 12 matches.
However, issues got here to a head in Wellington, the place the all-rounder solely managed to bowl two overs and was in every kind of hassle whereas batting regardless of scoring 60 runs.
A dependable wicket-taker who usually does issues with the ball, Stokes’ seam bowling was not wanted within the first innings as New Zealand had been bundled out for 209.
However, the England bowlers should have yearned for the assist of their captain when he enforced the follow-on and fielded them once more.
New Zealand posted an innings of 483 in opposition to them as they drained and fell in need of England chasing a goal.
Instead of resting for three-and-a-half months earlier than the Ashes, Stokes will head to the Indian Premier League (IPL) from March 31 to finish his $2 million cope with the Chennai Super Kings.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan requested Stokes to skip the IPL to extend his probabilities of being absolutely match for the Ashes, beginning in Birmingham on June 16.
Stokes did not have it.
“I’m working hard with the physios and medics here to try and get myself to a place where I can fill that (bowling) role like I’ve done for the last 10 years or however long it is,” he stated. Have finished.” in Wellington.
“I’ve got four months to get over it now, even better before the Ashes because I want to be able to fill that role properly in Birmingham.”
England’s attacking ‘buzzball’ revolution, led by Stokes and head coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum, has breathed new life into Test cricket and a basic Ashes season after Australia dominated the earlier collection 4-0 at house in 2021-22 The hopes of the competitors have been raised.
Stokes’ potential to get by means of 5 Tests, not to mention bowl in them, can be below the microscope.
There are not any such doubts, nonetheless, about England’s dedication to their attacking play and implementing it through the Ashes, regardless of the Wellington setback.
“You have to lose a game to appreciate how good it really is to win a game,” he stated.
“You cannot dwell your life or captain a world cricket group…. In retrospect.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
