The Ashes: England captain Ben Stokes has given himself ‘best chance’ to play this summer | Cricket news

Ben Stokes says hard work in recent months has given him the “best chance” to play a full role with the ball in the Ashes; Stokes’ knee injury flared up in New Zealand in February and he has bowled just one since – watch England vs Ireland live on Sky Sports from Thursday

England captain Ben Stokes says he has given himself the “best chance” to play the ball at full strength in The Ashes as he battles a long-term knee problem.

Stokes’ injury flared up in the series draw in New Zealand in February and he has bowled just one since, in the Indian Premier League against Chennai Super Kings on April 3.

The 31-year-old played just two matches for Chennai and due to eligibility, but says he was able to work on his fitness ahead of the bumper test summer.

It begins against Ireland at Lord’s on Thursday, live on Sky Sports Cricket, before the five-match Ashes series begins at Edgbaston on Friday 16 June.

“My knee is in a much better place than it was in Wellington,” Stokes told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“I’m in a situation where I can’t look back and regret or say I didn’t give myself the best chance to play a full role with the ball this summer.

“I’ve been working incredibly hard with the medical team in Chennai, liaising with the ECB guys. I’ve got to a place where I feel like I’m back in 2019, 2020 with my body.

“The mind and body are different but I’ve given myself the best chance. We know what the problem is and that’s managing it with the workload and the medical team, just to get through it.

– The great thing about sports and being in the arena is that it gives you adrenaline, helps you do something in the game that you might not be able to do in training.

“Hopefully I can show up every day and bowl like I’ve been able to do before this little ankle came out.”

Atherton: It is critical that Stokes can be a versatile player

Sky Sports cricket pundit and former England captain Michael Atherton:

“Stokes’ knee is a concern because of the balance of the side. He has called for good, right pitches against Australia, but if England only have four bowlers, it puts a lot of work on those bowlers, one or two [in James Anderson and Stuart Broad] continue over the years.

“Stokes’ ability to fill that all-round role is absolutely critical. I wouldn’t expect him to bowl too much in this Ireland game, but hopefully his knee will be fine after the Ashes.

“It would be a big blow if it wasn’t. A Test day with 90 overs for just four bowlers can be a tough ask, especially against Australia’s Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who can bat long-on.”

Stokes: England won’t change style in Ashes

Stokes did not reveal what the exact problem with his knee was or whether he would bowl in the four-day match against Ireland.

However, he was confident that the aggressive style of England cricket he has played to win 10 of their 12 Tests during his captaincy would continue against Australia.

Stokes added: “I found myself answering the same question – is this going to continue? It’s pretty clear to me that we’ve found a way to get the best out of ourselves as individuals and as a team.

“We’ve seen success with that. It doesn’t always work when you’re winning games and losing games, but we’ve been able to find a formula that works for the individuals we have in the locker room right now. It’s not going to change because of the opposition.

“It’s a different team, we haven’t played Australia but we focus on what we do. We always respect the opposition but we focus on ourselves and what we bring.

“The Ashes is one of those series that has an incredible history and continues to capture the imagination of the world. We all know what that means. The whole team – players and staff – are very excited about this.”

Ireland beat England by 85 on the first day of the sides’ Lord’s Test in 2019, before the hosts cruised to victory by 143 runs after bowling their opponents out for just 38 in the fourth innings.

Ireland have earned 50-over and T20 World Cup victories over England in the past – the most recent of which came in Australia last autumn when they won a rain-affected game at the MCG.

But Andy Balbirnie’s men have lost all six of their Tests since being awarded red-ball status in 2017, including a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka last month when they were beaten twice in an innings.

Stokes said: “You have to respect every opponent, no matter who it is. They are an international team who have come so far in the last two or three years, especially in white-ball cricket.”

“Tongue has the x-factor – he can change the game”

England will unleash Worcestershire seam Josh Tongue at Lord’s with the 25-year-old – who thought he would retire with a shoulder injury for 15 months in 2021-22 – selected alongside Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts in a pace attack.

James Anderson (groin) and Ollie Robinson (ankle) rested ahead of The Ashes.

Stokes said: “Tonguey is someone who has been talked about since he came on the scene for Worcestershire.

“He’s got a little bit more speed than most of the guys who are next in line and he’s started this season well.

“It’s great to have someone who can bowl that extra pace and can come in and change the course of the game and has that x-factor. I’m looking forward to bringing him in and giving him his cap.

“It was a good opportunity for Josh to not only show what he can do, but to see what his character is like and how he can impact the game in a role that I can see him playing if he plays a few more games this summer.”

England XI take on Ireland at Lord’s: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach.

Watch the England test summer live Sky Sports Cricket. The four-day match against Ireland will be played at Lord’s from Thursday, with the Ashes series underway at Edgbaston from June 16.