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England are currently taking on India in a five-match Test series. While they won the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad, they have succumbed to two straight losses in Vizag and Rajkot respectively. With the two sides now looking up to the fourth Test, which will be played from February 23 to 27 in Ranchi, the England side has received an optimistic news with Ben Stokes likely to return to bowling.
Although the English skipper hasn’t bowled in the first three Tests of the series as he continues to recover from a knee surgery, he is optimistic to resume it now with India leading the series 2-1 at this point. Speaking after England’s heavy defeat in Rajkot, Ben Stokes re-opened the doors, claiming that the progress has been “a lot faster than I thought [it] would.” Check the top betting trends on the best betting apps in India and sites.
“I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no,” Stokes responded to a question on his potential return to bowling for England in the ongoing Test series. “Me being me, I’m always very optimistic about most things. That will be a more detailed chat with the medical team about what workload I have done to pass me off as not being a massive risk,” Stokes said.
The English skipper also revealed that he has managed “to bowl at 100 percent in one of the warm-up days” which has made him feel “pretty good”.
He might bowl: Brendon McCullum
Not only Ben Stokes, but the England Head Coach Brendon McCullum also spoke of the captain’s fitness. Speaking ahead of the fourth Test, McCullum said, “Well, it’s good that he’s getting into a state where he thinks he might bowl. But Ben in clever; he’s clever as well. He won’t bowl unless he thinks he’s legitimately able to bowl. The problem would be if he starts getting into a spell and then he can’t get out of the spell.”
However, the former New Zealand cricketer remains focused on evaluating Ben Stokes’ progress rather than risking an injury. “If he does get that bit between his teeth, then let’s see where the danger lies there and try and pull him away from it. But it’s a good sign,” the England Head Coach concluded.
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