Ben Stokes Open to White-Ball Cricket Return Under Coach Brendon McCullum
London [UK], September 25: England Test captain Ben Stokes has expressed his willingness to return to white-ball cricket under the guidance of newly-appointed coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes, who played key roles in England’s World Cup victories in 2019 and 2022, had retired from ODI cricket in 2022 due to burnout and a demanding international schedule. However, he made a comeback ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.
On his return, Stokes played as a specialist batter, scoring 539 runs in nine games with an average of 59.88, including two centuries and three fifties. Despite his efforts, England’s campaign in the World Cup was disappointing, with the team winning only three out of nine games.
Stokes has not played white-ball cricket since the World Cup in India, opting out of the T20 World Cup to focus on his fitness due to knee issues. He is currently prioritizing Test cricket and is working on regaining full fitness ahead of the away Tests against Pakistan starting October 7.
Stokes mentioned that he has not yet discussed a white-ball comeback with McCullum, but he is open to the idea if approached. He praised McCullum’s coaching style and the positive impact he has had on the Test team.
Stokes is optimistic about his recovery from a hamstring injury and expects to be fit for the Pakistan series. He emphasized the importance of being cautious with his bowling duties to avoid further injuries.
Reflecting on the upcoming series in Pakistan, Stokes acknowledged the need to adapt to the conditions, which may differ from their previous experience in 2022.
Doubts Revealed
Ben Stokes -: Ben Stokes is a famous cricketer from England. He is known for playing very well in cricket matches.
White-Ball Cricket -: White-ball cricket is a type of cricket where a white ball is used. It includes formats like One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) matches.
Brendon McCullum -: Brendon McCullum is a former cricketer from New Zealand. He is now a coach for the England cricket team.
ODI -: ODI stands for One Day International. It is a type of cricket match that lasts for one day.
ICC Cricket World Cup -: The ICC Cricket World Cup is a big cricket tournament held every four years. Teams from different countries compete to win the trophy.
Runs -: In cricket, runs are the points scored by the players. The more runs a team scores, the better their chances of winning.
Tests -: Tests are a type of cricket match that can last up to five days. They are longer and more traditional than white-ball cricket matches.
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia. It has a national cricket team that plays against other countries.
