Harm scare? Stokes winces after taking catch

Ben Stokes says he’s “undoubtedly on target” to bowl within the first Ashes Take a look at in opposition to Australia at Edgbaston.

The England captain didn’t bowl in England’s 10-wicket win in opposition to Eire at Lord’s as he manages a persistent drawback together with his left knee.

However Stokes, who turns 32 on Sunday, did bowl for the primary time in 4 weeks earlier than play on Saturday.

“Bowling within the warm-up was a primary step,” stated Stokes. “I am comfortable, so I am going to preserve constructing it up earlier than Edgbaston.”

The primary Take a look at within the five-match collection in opposition to Australia begins on 16 June.

“I’m undoubtedly on target to bowl within the first Take a look at,” Stokes instructed Take a look at Match Particular.

Stokes additionally didn’t play a component with the ball in England’s earlier Take a look at, a defeat by New Zealand in Wellington in February.

He subsequently performed solely two matches for Chennai Tremendous Kings within the Indian Premier League, sending down only one over.

At Lord’s in opposition to the Irish, he turned the primary captain within the historical past of Take a look at cricket to preside over a victory with out batting, bowling or protecting wicket.

He was additionally in seen discomfort when he took a catch to dismiss Curtis Campher off the bowling of Joe Root.

“It was by no means my intention to bowl on this recreation,” he stated. “I landed awkwardly once I took that catch and twisted in an odd manner, however it was wonderful.”

Stokes additionally dismissed any suggestion he wouldn’t play within the Ashes if he’s unable to bowl, saying “it isn’t one thing we have even spoken about”.

England lastly wrapped up victory after tea on the third day, following a spirited Irish fightback.

When the guests misplaced their sixth second-innings wicket, successfully a seventh due to an damage to James McCollum, they have been nonetheless 190 runs adrift of constructing England bat once more.

However quantity eight Andrew McBrine made a cultured unbeaten 86 and quantity 9 Mark Adair a thumping 88 to at the very least push Eire into the lead.

England ultimately wanted 11, scored by Zak Crawley in simply 4 balls, to provide Stokes’ facet their…

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