The upcoming five-match Test series against India, commencing on Thursday, January 25, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, will see England’s red-ball captain Ben Stokes step onto the field not as an all-rounder, but as a specialist batsman. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Stokes articulated his current physical limitations which restrict him from resuming his role as a bowler.
Despite his stellar performances as a key all-rounder, Stokes has had to grapple with the reality of his body’s readiness for the rigorous demands of competitive bowling. He revealed, “Bowling is such an unnatural thing for the body to go through that it’s not going to be a case of right, I’m good now, straight back into bowling. Remember the last ball I bowled was actually in the Ashes at Lord’s. So my body is nowhere near ready to even be thinking about competitive bowling at the moment.”
Consequently, as England’s skipper prepares for the high-stakes series against India, he is focusing strictly on his capabilities with the bat. Determined but also practical about his limitations, Stokes hopes to gradually rebuild his bowling form during the tour. “But if I get to a stage in this tour where we can start building myself back up to bowling, then hopefully by the summer, that’s where I’ve earmarked as playing a full role as I want to be doing,” he stated optimistically.
The Durham cricketer, aged 32, is clear about the intense preparations he has undergone to be ready for this pivotal series. Convalescence and diligent rehabilitation have been the cornerstones of his plan to return to top-notch cricketing action. His philosophy is team-centric, emphasizing that he wouldn’t put his personal aspirations above the needs of the English squad. “I’d never put myself ahead of the team if I didn’t think I could go out and play at a certain level,” affirmed Stokes.
Not only is the England captain ready for the challenge, but he also is prepared for the exigencies of long spells in the field and the sheer mental and physical stamina that Test cricket demands. Stokes confidently stated, “I’ve done everything I needed to do to say, ‘yes I’m ready to go and play a Test match for England’. I’ll just have to see. I might have some long days in the field but I’m ready.”
The anticipation surrounding the series is palpable, with the Test squad including veteran players as well as new blood. England’s lineup features Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, and Mark Wood.
The series promises a showcase of traditional cricket interspersed with contemporary strategies that the modern game endows. The English team’s readiness to adapt and overcome adversity will be tested against a formidable Indian contingent, in conditions that are as challenging as they are rewarding.
As England looks forward to embracing what has been labeled ‘Bazball’ – the aggressive, fast-paced strategy under coach Brendon McCullum – the dynamics between bat and ball, and amongst the international cricketing titans, will unfold in the coming days. With Ben Stokes leading purely with the bat this time, the stage is set for yet another enthralling chapter in Test cricket’s storied legacy.
