Ben Stokes finds bowling ‘a bit of a challenge’ as England’s Ashes opener looms
According to his IPL coach Stephen Fleming, just a month before the Ashes start, Stokes still finds bowling “a bit of a challenge”.
Stokes remains with the Chennai Super Kings in India but has not played a game since April 3 and is said to be a “batting protector” for the final weeks of the franchise tournament.
The all-rounder was initially sidelined with a toe injury and then suffered a setback in his recovery but has not been included in the selection since his return to fitness last week.
IPL teams are limited to naming a maximum of four foreign players in their XIs and Chennai have settled on the combination of Sri Lankan bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana, New Zealand batsman Devon Conway and Stokes’ England teammate Moeen Ali.
Chennai have just one regular-season game left, on Saturday at the Delhi Capitals, but are currently second in the table and on course to qualify for the playoffs.
Fight: Ben Stokes has not played for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL since April 3rd
/ AFP via Getty Images“Ben’s ability to throw overs is a bit of a challenge right now, but he’s there as a batting protection,” Fleming said. “But with Moeen bowling well in good conditions… Next up is Delhi where there was a twist and we think the balance of the team was right.
“We’re second in the table so it’s not our style to switch just because we’ve lost [against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday] where things didn’t go our way.”
England begin their summer of testing with a one-off four-day game against Ireland at Lord’s on June 1, a game that will serve as a de facto warm-up before the opening game of the Ashes series against Australia, which begins on June 16 at Edgbaston.
Stokes has previously vowed to return home in time to prepare for the Ireland Test, which could mean leaving the IPL early with the final not taking place until May 28 if Chennai goes that far.
Fleming’s concern that Stokes is still struggling with bowling will worry England considering the captain hopes to play a full role as the side’s fourth player this summer.
Stokes threw just two overs during England’s last Test match, the dramatic one-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington, as he was plagued by a long-standing knee problem, although his lack of IPL action at least gave him the opportunity to overcome that problem gentle edition.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/cricket/ben-stokes-ashes-england-ipl-b1081182.html Ben Stokes finds bowling ‘a bit of a challenge’ as England’s Ashes opener looms
