Ben Stokes, the flamboyant all-rounder is trying his best to play the upcoming Test series against Pakistan after a hamstring injury ruled him out of Sri Lanka Test series which England won by 2-1. The defeat in 3rd Test match for Britishers has raised questions about the depth in English cricket and with ICC Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, Ben Stokes has hinted that he might come back into the team if needed.
Ben Stokes was an integral member of 2019 ODI WC & 2022 T20 WC triumphs as the all-rounder is someone who can contribute in all the 3 facets of the game. He is also a part of leadership group which makes the job easier for Jos Buttler. The new head coach of England’s white ball team Brendon McCullum would start his tenure in January 2025 when England will play ODI series against India and will remain ODI coach till 2027 ODI WC, given how McCullum’s coaching has inspired England’s Test team, we can see a change in white ball team which is not playing according to his reputation.
Ben Stokes thrilled to play white-ball cricket for England under Brendon McCullum’s regime
Speaking to Sky Sports during the third ODI between England and Australia in Durham, the all-rounder heaped praise on McCullum. He said that the coach’s complete commitment to a particular style of cricket is amazing to see.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team. He’s an incredible coach who speaks with utter commitment, and it’s nice to have all three teams now with the same messaging and the same philosophies towards playing cricket,” Stokes said.
Hence, the southpaw said his answer would be yes if McCullum asked him to rejoin the side.
“If I get the call and [Baz] says, ‘do you want to come and play?’ Then obviously, it’s definitely going to be a yes, but I’m not going to be too disappointed if I don’t, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it,” he added.
Ben Stokes decided to skip the T20 World Cup in June this year to return to full fitness for the Test series at home. However, he plied his trade for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred 2024.
Ben Stokes opens up on his hamstring injury
Ben Stokes revealed that he will undergo a scan on his hamstring as the Pakistan tour looms and said that his rehab has gone according to his plan. However, he underlined the need to fire on all cylinders, saying via ESPN Cricinfo:
“I’ve got my six-and-a-half week scan tomorrow, so we’ll know more from that, but I’m feeling really good. It was a hamstring tear that just sneaked into my tendon, so that’s why it’s taken a week or two longer, but my rehab has gone really well, so hopefully tomorrow everything gets the all-clear, and we can start pushing it a bit more.”
“There’s a lot more than just my hamstrings that I need to get back firing again, in terms of bowling, because you use everything. So I need to get that all right to make sure that I don’t do any more damage to any other parts of my body,”