England captain Ben Stokes claims he will likely be a pressure with the ball on this Ashes collection simply months after fears that his bowling days could also be over.
Talking forward of the primary Check at Edgbaston, which begins on Friday, Stokes was assured he might make the contribution as an allrounder that made him such a key participant throughout the Ashes 4 years in the past.
England captain Ben Stokes speaks to the media at Edgbaston on Thursday.Credit score: Getty Pictures
“The final three days have been actually good for my confidence,” he mentioned. “I’ve bowled on daily basis [at training] up to now and been in a position to run with extra depth day-to-day. I’ve received myself in a very good place to have the ability to bowl.”
The sight of Stokes charging in at coaching, albeit together with his left knee closely bandaged, was a welcome sight for England after the tour of New Zealand in February throughout which he was barely in a position to bowl.
“I undoubtedly really feel in a greater place than in Wellington,” he mentioned after coaching.
“Each time I’m out on the sector I need to do all the things I can, however my physique has stopped me doing that … however I’ve been in a position to put myself in a spot the place I really feel extra succesful to have the ability to try this.”
Ben Stokes (proper) with Rob Key, the director of England Cricket, within the nets at Edgbaston forward of the primary Ashes Check.Credit score: Getty Pictures
Stokes bowled simply seven overs throughout the two-Check collection and obtained a cortisone injection within the troublesome knee earlier than travelling to India for the IPL within the hope he might work on his health throughout the T20 match.
Nevertheless, he made simply two appearances for the eventual IPL champions, the Chennai Tremendous Kings, bowling only one wicketless over that went for 18.
