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Captain Ben Stokes says the one manner he won’t take a full half in England’s Ashes summer season is that if he “cannot stroll”.
The 31-year-old had a cortisone injection in a persistent knee harm in March, earlier than enjoying solely two video games for Chennai Tremendous Kings within the Indian Premier League.
Stokes will lead England within the one-off Take a look at in opposition to Eire on Thursday.
“I’ve given myself the very best probability to play an enormous position, particularly with the ball,” he informed BBC Sport.
Stokes didn’t bowl in England’s final Take a look at, a defeat by New Zealand in Wellington in February.
His time with Chennai was disrupted by a foot harm, after which he was neglected of the aspect, however the all-rounder mentioned he used his time in India to enhance his probabilities of enjoying a full half with the ball for England.
“The knee is in a significantly better place than what it was in Wellington,” he mentioned.
“I’ve labored extremely onerous with the medical group in Chennai, who have been liaising with the England guys.
“I’ve bought myself into a spot the place I really feel like I am again at a 2019, 2020 area by way of my physique.
“I do know I will not look again on this summer season and remorse any selections that I had within the build-up interval, as a result of I’ve labored my nuts off.
“Until I can not stroll, I will be on the sector.”
England will hand a debut to Worcestershire tempo bowler Josh Tongue within the four-day Take a look at in opposition to the Irish.
Bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have been neglected as they get well from minor accidents, however Stokes mentioned each would have been capable of play had this been the primary Ashes Take a look at.
Tongue, 25, has been chosen forward of Chris Woakes to hitch Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts within the tempo assault.
“We all know Woakesy is a really skilled participant and what he…
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