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Ben Stokes, the England Test captain, is currently playing his 100th Test match for the Three Lions in the ongoing third Test between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Stokes has gone through a couple of intriguing months recently, backtracking on his retirement from ODIs to feature for England in the 2023 World Cup.
That didn’t help England defend their crown as they crashed out of the group stage in a rather shocking manner.
What also didn’t help England’s cause was the fact that they couldn’t strike a good balance in their lineup, with Stokes operating purely as a batsman inspite of his obvious abilities as a bowler.
The English skipper hasn’t bowled a single delivery in the ongoing series either. In this article, The Sporting News provides all the info regarding Stokes’ bowling workload and overall fitness.
MORE: Ben Stokes’ five greatest knocks in Tests for England
Ben Stokes not bowling in order to keep fitness issues in check
Dr. Andy Williams, a knee specialist whose past patients include Andrew Flintoff and Chris Woakes, operated on Stokes’ left knee in November 2023 at the private Cromwell Hospital in southwest London.
Following his surgery, Stokes underwent an intense rehabilitation program with an eye on the India tour.
On the eve of the third Test in Rajkot, Stokes had a 20-minute net session where he rolled his arms over, which made fans wonder if he would be bowling in the third Test and beyond. However, Stokes gave a disappointing update.
“No, I still won’t bowl in this series,” Stokes said. “I’ve pinky-promised my physio I won’t be loosening up to bowl even if everything is feeling well because that would just be a risk that’s not worth it.
“It’s good. Little and often now. I managed to step it up from when I bowled around the last Test match… just growing with more confidence.
“We don’t have a plan with where I go with my intensity. It’s just how I feel at the time, but also not getting too far ahead. I’ve said a couple of times that the rest of my body has to get up to speed with bowling. It was another step forward.”
Will Ben Stokes feature for England at the 2024 T20 World Cup?
Stokes has already withdrawn from the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he would have represented defending champions Chennai Super Kings.
Given Stokes’ long list of recurring fitness issues over the years, the 32-year-old will not want to put too much pressure on to his body, as he is also set to lead England in the all-whites against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home, followed by away tours to Pakistan and New Zealand.
It’s going to be a busy 2024 for Stokes, and the fact that he doesn’t want to rush himself to get into the bowling rhythm might actually prove to be a good decision.
