Bowling ‘a little bit of a problem’ for Stokes forward of the Ashes

May 15, 2023 at 5:05 PM

Just over a month earlier than the beginning of the Ashes, bowling stays “a bit of a challenge” for England’s captain Ben Stokes, who continues to overlook out on choice for Chennai Super Kings on the IPL.

England play their first Test towards Australia at Edgbaston on June 16 and Stokes has signalled his intention to “fulfil my role as fourth seamer” throughout that sequence after a long-running knee subject which has restricted his bowling workloads within the current previous.

Stokes, an INR 16.25 crore (£1.6 million approx.) signing at December’s public sale, performed the primary two video games of CSK’s season, making 7 and 8 and conceding 18 runs in his solely over with the ball.

ESPNcricinfo understands that he’ll return to the UK after their last group sport towards Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon, having previously indicated that he would “give myself enough time to get back and play” in England’s Test towards Ireland at Lord’s on June 1, a fixture which is being seen primarily as Ashes preparation.

Stokes has been obtainable for choice once more within the final week however has been unable to discover a place within the beginning XI, with CSK opting to make use of Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana as their 4 abroad gamers as a substitute.

And after CSK’s residence defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday evening, Fleming revealed that Stokes is being seen as “batting cover” and that the franchise are unlikely to “chop and change” forward of their last group sport.

“Ben’s ability to bowl overs at the moment is still a bit of a challenge, but he’s there as that batting cover,” Fleming mentioned. “But with Moeen bowling well in good conditions – we go to Delhi [next] which has been turning – we think the balance of the side has been right.

“And look, we’re second on the desk, so it is not our model to cut and alter simply because we have had a loss the place issues did not go our approach. We will not do this. We may tinker with it however we’re very targeted on getting the best group for Delhi.”

England’s selectors are due to meet in the next few days to select a squad for the Ireland Test, with concerns lingering over the health of James Anderson.