Ben Stokes has ‘actually good plan’ to take care of long-term knee harm
Ben Stokes has dominated out the opportunity of bowling on the World Cup, however says he has “a really good plan” in place to beat his continual left-knee harm and play as a “genuine allrounder” subsequent summer time.
Stokes performed the ultimate three Tests of this summer time’s Ashes sequence as a specialist batter and can fulfil the identical function when he returns to England’s ODI aspect on Friday, probably at No. 4. He declined to elaborate on his plan to handle his harm, however didn’t rule out the prospect of surgical procedure between the World Cup and England’s Test tour to India early subsequent 12 months.
Speaking to the press for the primary time since popping out of ODI retirement, Stokes mentioned that he had been unable to withstand the prospect of being concerned in England’s defence of the trophy they received for the primary time at Lord’s 4 years in the past: “Going to India and trying to defend the World Cup was a big reason.”
Stokes admitted he felt bodily and mentally “exhausted” after the Ashes however took a break from the sport in August, spending time on vacation and opting out of the Hundred. During that point off, he resumed conversations with Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler that had started long before and instructed them that he was obtainable for choice.
He will characteristic in England’s 4 ODIs towards New Zealand over the following eight days earlier than flying to India on the finish of the month. And whereas he mentioned that the World Cup is “the only thing I’m thinking about”, Stokes revealed that he has been chatting with medical specialists to plot a long-term plan for his knee.
“It’s been a good chance to rest up and get into a good position for these one-dayers and the World Cup afterwards,” he mentioned. “I’ve had some good conversations with specialists in different fields around rehab and a plan going forward after the World Cup. There will be the potential of something happening after the World Cup.”
He instructed the BBC: “There’s actually quite a long time off after the World Cup. I’ve been having some good conversations with some specialists [about] rehab and physios, the surgeons, the guys who know what they are doing. There is a plan in place. I know what’s going to happen; I just don’t think now is the right time to say what I’m doing.
“When we do what we have to do to provide myself an opportunity of getting again to being a real allrounder, there will likely be a time after I can say what I’m doing. We have gotten an excellent plan in place. I need to be taking part in subsequent summer time as a real allrounder; this winter is all about taking part in this World Cup, then getting this knee sorted.”
While Stokes did not specify the details of his plan, he appears unlikely to play much of a role with the ball during England’s five-Test series in India. He will also have to discuss the possibility of a retention on his INR 16.25 crore (£1.6 million) contract with Chennai Super Kings in the coming months, though said that IPL 2024 is “too far-off to fret about”.
Stokes quit ODIs last year citing an unsustainable schedule, and insisted on Thursday that at the time, he did not envisage changing his mind. “Back then, it was: ‘I’m performed’,” he said. “But as time goes on and the alternatives come nearer and nearer, you assume fully otherwise to after I made the choice.
“There were obviously a lot of things to think about. First and foremost, I needed to see how I got through the Ashes and then think about what I had after the World Cup. When I felt like I had to make a decision and make myself available, it was an easy one to make.”
The lure of turning into back-to-back 50-over world champions proved too robust to withstand. “The words ‘World Cup’ are pretty inspiring,” Stokes added. “Going into this one as world champions, playing a part in that in 2019, which was an unbelievable moment for us as a team and myself… the idea of going in and potentially being able to win back-to-back World Cups was one of the big things.
“Everyone is aware of – and it isn’t smug for us to say – that we’re an excellent crew. We’ve bought an excellent depth of personnel to have the ability to select from and our file for the reason that World Cup has been excellent. We like our probabilities, however the occupied with World Cups is who can deal with the stress greatest on any given day.”
Stokes does not expect it will take him long to adjust back to 50-over cricket, 14 months after his last appearance in the format. “I’ve performed 100 video games, so I do have some concept of the way to do it,” he said, laughing. “Coming in and never being captain can really be fairly refreshing.”
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98