England head coach Brendon McCullum mentioned captain Ben Stokes might be “hurting” after the 2-1 Check sequence defeat in opposition to Pakistan. Regardless of profitable the opening match of the sequence, England didn’t make large inroads within the final two video games and faltered in opposition to the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in Multan and Rawalpindi to lose their second sequence beneath Stokes’ management. The all-rounder missed the primary Check owing to a hamstring damage and solely scored 53 runs in 4 innings and went wicketless within the 10 overs he bowled.
“He is disillusioned however he is our skipper and we all know he is robust. He’ll ensure he’ll come again. It is our job to ensure we wrap our arms round him and assist him alongside the way in which,” McCullum mentioned.
“He’s disillusioned, naturally. Everyone knows how aggressive and pushed the skipper is. He’ll be hurting proper now with how the sequence has unfolded.
“That damage was fairly vital. He needed to put in lots of graft and subconsciously possibly you are not fairly as screwed down as you could be by way of decision-making. That is pure,” he added.
Stokes has confronted an inconsistent couple of years along with his health. All through a lot of 2023, his bowling was restricted by a persistent left knee subject. He underwent surgical procedure in November of that yr and returned as a full all-rounder throughout the summer time house sequence. Nevertheless, he then injured his hamstring whereas taking part in in The Hundred in August.
The 33-year-old missed 4 Exams, together with the sequence opener in Pakistan, which England received. He returned for the second match – a loss on a reused pitch in Multan – and significantly struggled within the ultimate Check in Rawalpindi.
Stokes managed simply 15 runs throughout two innings and did not bowl. On the second afternoon, his usually proactive captaincy appeared unusually passive as Saud Shakeel scored a century, placing Pakistan in management.
In England’s second innings, Stokes was surprisingly dismissed lbw to a supply from spinner Noman Ali after not providing a shot. England had been in the end bowled out for 112, their lowest complete in Pakistan, organising a nine-wicket victory for the hosts.
England face a fast turnaround to their subsequent tour: a three-Check sequence in New Zealand beginning on the finish of November. The squad is anticipated to be introduced quickly, with few modifications anticipated. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed could also be changed, presumably by a further batter or wicketkeeper, to cowl Jamie Smith, who may miss half or the entire tour as a result of beginning of his first baby.
The primary Check might be held in Christchurch, the place Stokes was born earlier than shifting to the UK at age 12.
“He’ll be higher for the run, little doubt. Will probably be a few weeks off, clean up and again to circumstances that are a bit extra much like England. It is one other alternative for us,” mentioned McCullum.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
Matters talked about on this article
