Ben Stokes has declared himself prepared for motion in England’s must-win World Cup conflict in opposition to South Africa, after lacking the primary three video games of the marketing campaign by way of damage.
Stokes’ comeback couldn’t have come at a greater second for a facet whose title defence is on the rocks after a shock defeat to Afghanistan left them with a single win to their identify.
The charismatic Take a look at skipper suffered a hip damage throughout England’s warm-up week in Guwahati and has been sidelined ever since, however has given himself the inexperienced mild to face the Proteas in Mumbai on Saturday.
Talking earlier than a coaching session on the Wankhede Stadium that can double up as a last vigorous health take a look at, Stokes instructed BBC Radio’s Take a look at Match Particular: “It was a irritating little niggle to get earlier than the match however I’ve labored very onerous to get again to the place I’m and making myself able to be accessible for choice.
“Now we have had a couple of days off for the reason that final sport and first coaching session right here in Mumbai. I’ll give it a great push however, sure, I believe every part is fairly good. I’m in a great place.”
It could be tempting to view Stokes as a saviour using to the rescue – a task he has carried out loads of occasions over the course of his profession, not least within the 2019 World Cup last – however he distanced himself from the concept.
Responding to the load of expectation that can comply with him on to the sector, which has solely grown with England’s struggles up to now, he mentioned: “I take care of it fairly simple to be sincere, as a result of I do know I’m one particular person in a staff sport.
“Nobody seems to 1 particular person on this staff to encourage them or something like that. It isn’t the case that if I do are available in then hastily we’re going to do properly. It’s simply a type of issues that will get spoken about rather a lot however I don’t learn into an excessive amount of.
“Everybody that walks out on to that discipline for England is a match-winner and may do one thing individually that may win us a sport. We simply have to tone it down a bit on me coming again in.”
For unique tales and all of the detailed cricket information you want, subscribe to The Cricket Paper web site from as little as 14p a day.
