Ben Stokes allays recent England harm fears as Ashes opener looms
B
en Stokes insists he’s “definitely on course” to bowl in England’s Ashes opener, regardless of once more showing to wrestle along with his long-standing knee drawback through the victory over Ireland at Lord’s.
Stokes’s skill to bowl has been severely restricted by harm since England’s winter tour to New Zealand however earlier this week he claimed he had given himself “the best chance” of taking part in a full function as an all-rounder towards Australia.
The captain didn’t bowl himself through the 10-wicket victory over Ireland, nor did he bat, with England declaring solely four-down on Friday.
However, there was nonetheless time for an harm scare after lunch on day three as Stokes grimaced and appeared to clutch his knee after taking a catch off the bowling of Joe Root.
“The catch? I just landed on it quite awkwardly,” Stokes informed BBC TMS. “I bowled this morning in the warm-up for the first time in a couple of weeks so that was good and I’m taking the positives. I wouldn’t have bowled in this match anyway, unless everyone else went down.”
Stokes’s skill to play as a fourth seamer is important to the steadiness of England’s aspect. A tiring three-pronged seam assault was steadily worn down by Ireland on the third day at Lord’s, with the guests having began the day 255 behind earlier than creeping right into a 10-run lead.
“I’m building myself up,” Stokes added. “Bowling in the warm-up was a first step, I’m happy with it, so I’ll just keep building it up now before Edgbaston. I am definitely on course to bowl in the first Test.”
Josh Tongue’s efficiency on debut was the excessive level so far as England’s second-innings bowling effort towards Ireland was involved.
The Worcestershire seamer had impressed with out reward on the opening day however leaves Lord’s along with his identify on the well-known honours board after taking five-for-66.
“It was the first time I met him at the start of the week when we got together so he must think I’m a pretty good bloke giving him his Test debut,” Stokes added. “His first spell he came on and bowled really well, pitching the ball up and then we looked to his pace to use him as the aggressor when we needed to and the wicket got a bit flat.
“For him to show he’s more than one type of bowler does us the world of good as a team going forward, knowing we’ve found someone else who can fulfil the role of the guys with the extra pace.
“I wasn’t quite sure of how to manage him so early on but I was very, very impressed with the way he just said yes to the plans I wanted him to operate under. He was very unlucky not to get a wicket in the first innings but he definitely reaped the rewards.
“The way he bowled contributed to the five wickets he got in that innings because they were already on the back foot against him knowing he’s got that extra bit of pace.”