Over the last year, I’ve pushed my body through more than it’s truly been through: Ben Stokes. The opening Test of the five-match series won by Australia by two wickets.
Ben Stokes’ fitness was a big talking point leading up to The Ashes 2023. Due to a knee ailment, the all-rounder scarcely participated in the recently finished IPL. The 32-year-old did not bowl at all in the one-off Test against Ireland, prompting concerns about his fitness. In the first of the five-match Ashes series, he’s in full swing. Scooping up two wickets, including the important wicket of Usman Khawaja in the second innings.
Meanwhile, when asked about his bowling, Stokes claimed that he enjoys bowling frequently. The batsman went on to explain that he can’t recall the last time he felt so free to bowl, and that he enjoys bowling extended stints and under pressure.
“I’ve put my body through more than it has in the last year, which is obviously good for myself and another confidence boost for me.” Getting through it, knowing we still have four games left, has given me a huge push.
“I can’t remember the last time I bowl consistently. ” Im really relieve to have gotten a decent lengthy spell in. I love being in that situation. “I enjoy bowling long spells, especially when the game is on the line. ” Stokes said, according to Cricbuzz.
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You could see what it meant to Moeen Ali going out to play for England again: Stokes
Because of an unlucky injury to Jack Leach prior to the Ashes, England captain Ben Stokes requested Moeen Ali to join the national camp for the series, and he eventually agreed, coming out of retirement. Meanwhile, despite his inability to impress with the ball, Stokes believes he did a good job for the team and will return stronger once his injury recovers.
“I told Mo (Moeen) to let me know if his finger was sore, and I had a feeling it was even before that.” Coming back into his first Test match and operating in the manner that he did, putting himself over the pain barrier for the team [was fantastic].
“You could see how much it meant to him when he went out to play for England again with a huge smile on his face.” I chose him because of his game-winning moments. He had a few with the ball and almost got us over the line… “(The break) gives Mo a good chance to heal his finger,” Stokes said.
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