As Ashes 2023 are just around the corner, Ben Stokes-led led side would be tested as their ultra-attacking brand of cricket ‘Bazball” could be risky against Australia’s lethal pace attack. Ben Stokes didn’t bowl in the one-off Test match against Ireland which was quite a surprise.
The contest between England & Australia is expected to be a riveting one as the mighty Aussies would be keen to win their first Ashes series after 2001. In the Ashes 2019, the then-skipper Tim Paine’s side had retained the urn by squaring the series by 2-2.
“Steve Smith Can Get 4 Ducks In A Row For Sussex, But He Could Still Get 700 Runs In The Ashes..” – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes was having an interaction with the Dail Mail and feels that the county matches and The Ashes both are going to provide a different environment to the players and if someone plays well in a county does not necessarily means he will do well in The Ashes. He had an Interview with Nasser Hussain in which he stated:
“I’ve got absolutely no issue with it whatsoever. Marcus North (Durham director of cricket) messaged me and said ‘Is it Ok if we sign an Australian?’ and I said, ‘ Mate, it’s absolutely fine. Don’t worry’. It’s great to our game if you get international players coming over. Why would you not want superstar players representing our counties? When it comes to Ashes I don’t think it will make any difference” Stokes said.
“Steve Smith could have got four ducks in a row for Sussex but we all know he could still then get 700 runs in The Ashes” he added.
Updates On Stokes Injury:
The England all- rounder has not bowled a single ball in Test match since the series against New Zealand in 2022/23 due to knee injury. He also played only few matches in IPL this season, he was in constant check with CSK (Chennai Super Kings) medical team. The captain said that he was frustrated with the fact that he could not fulfil his role as the fourth pacer.
However, Stokes now believe that he has worked so hard to the point, where he can bowl pain free. He also took cortisone injections to mitigate the pain in his knee and he feels that everything is now going nicely.
Stokes said ” I won’t rush it because the priority is making sure that I can fulfill that role as fourth seamer in the Ashes”. It is a great news for England, as they are in badly need of their captain to perform well in the upcoming Ashes against their arch-rivals Australia.