The England Nationwide Cricket Group is at the moment taking over the West Indies in a white-ball collection at residence, however Ben Stokes has but once more saved himself unavailable to ensure he can be totally recent for the upcoming five-match Take a look at collection towards India, beginning on June 20 in Leeds.
The 34-year-old all-rounder was final seen in ODI cricket again in November 2023 on the ICC Cricket World Cup, whereas his final T20I look was towards Pakistan within the 2022 T20 World Cup. Even Stokes retired from ODIs in 2022, solely to return subsequent 12 months for the ODI World Cup 2023.
Ben Stokes skips West Indies collection, eyes India Checks at residence
Nevertheless, England’s Take a look at captain has already made it clear a very long time in the past that Take a look at cricket is his precedence, and he’s dedicated to the format, preserving himself away from the white-ball codecs, preserving in thoughts his health and workload as an all-rounder.
Your day by day dose of cricket!
Learn Additionally: Watch: 6, 6, 6, 6, 6! Adil Rashid receives belt therapy as RCB star, Jason Holder go berserk
Stokes made his comeback within the latest four-day Take a look at towards Zimbabwe after an extended rehabilitation course of following a hamstring damage that he sustained throughout England’s Take a look at tour of New Zealand final 12 months. However he has not made himself accessible for the white-ball choice.
The England captain is at the moment coaching with the squad for the upcoming Take a look at collection towards India. Effectively, the Harry Brook-led England cricket crew is doing nicely towards the West Indies, however the former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull believes that they’re in want of Stokes for the crew stability after Adil Rashid’s poor bowling within the second T20I towards the West Indies.
England banking on Ben Stokes’ return for ICC T20 World Cup 2025: Simon Doull
After England’s four-wicket win over the West Indies within the second T20I recreation on June 8, Simon Doull identified that utilizing simply two important seamers works after they rotate them, like swapping Matthew Potts for Mark Wooden, however it will not be very best going ahead.
He additionally famous that Rashid Khan struggled whereas bowling on the loss of life, which is hard for any leg-spinner. Doull highlighted Brook’s remark about wanting batting depth, and he prompt that England wants all-rounders just like the West Indies to get that depth. He additionally prompt that England is likely to be hoping to persuade Stokes to play within the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 subsequent 12 months.
Simon Doull instructed the Sky Sports activities broadcaster: “Yeah, and I do not know whether or not they’re hanging their hats on the truth that they are going to persuade Ben Stokes to play in that World Cup. I am critical. I believe that is what they’re hanging their hats on. They totally imagine in that dressing room, within the administration group, that they are going to in time persuade him to play in that T20 World Cup.”
Learn Additionally: BCCI shakes up complete India’s worldwide residence season with sudden venue adjustments
Simon Doull requires Ben Stokes’ return to spice up England’s depth
He famous that if Stokes is prepared, it will permit the England facet to stay with two frontline pacers, use the all-rounder as a 3rd seam possibility, whereas nonetheless strengthening the batting.
The New Zealander additional mentioned that Stokes’ presence would permit England to go along with two front-line pacers and hold a wide range of spinners like Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, and even Jacob Bethell. Doull is assured that the crew administration is attempting to persuade Stokes to return again for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Doull signed off by saying, “And he fills that position that they’ll go in with two real seamers, Stokes, after which the spinners that they need to have within the facet, which embrace Bethell, which embrace whoever they could need to decide, whether or not they go along with Jacks, Adil Rashid, they have real spinners, and so they’ve bought part-time spinners. So, I am satisfied that that is what they’re pondering.”
