England head coach Brendon McCullum stated captain Ben Stokes will probably be “hurting” after the 2-1 Take a look at sequence defeat towards Pakistan. Regardless of profitable the opening match of the sequence, England did not make massive inroads within the final two video games and faltered towards the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in Multan and Rawalpindi to lose their second sequence below Stokes’ management. The all-rounder missed the primary Take a look at owing to a hamstring harm 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 be sure that he’ll come again. It is our job to verify we wrap our arms round him and assist him alongside the best way,” McCullum stated.
“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 harm was fairly vital. He needed to put in plenty of graft and subconsciously perhaps you are not fairly as screwed down as you could be when it comes to 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 concern. He underwent surgical procedure in November of that yr and returned as a full all-rounder in the course of the summer season residence sequence. Nonetheless, he then injured his hamstring whereas enjoying in The Hundred in August.
The 33-year-old missed 4 Checks, 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 notably struggled within the ultimate Take a look at 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 whole in Pakistan, organising a nine-wicket victory for the hosts.
England face a fast turnaround to their subsequent tour: a three-Take a look at sequence in New Zealand beginning on the finish of November. The squad is anticipated to be introduced quickly, with few adjustments anticipated. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed could also be changed, probably by a further batter or wicketkeeper, to cowl Jamie Smith, who may miss half or all the tour because of the delivery of his first little one.
The primary Take a look at will probably 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 question. It will likely be a few weeks off, clean up and again to circumstances that are a bit extra just like England. It is one other alternative for us,” stated McCullum.
Matters talked about on this article
( headline and story edited by our workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
