Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan
Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan. (Photo: Twitter)

England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan admitted that all-rounder Ben Stokes is still not 100% recovered from his finger injury, which he sustained during the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Stokes recently captained England to a 3-0 ODI series win over Pakistan, leading a squad of 9 uncapped players when it was announced. This was due to three England players and 4 staff members tested positive after the Sri Lanka white-ball series and all of the first-choice England team including captain Morgan had to go into isolation.

Ben Stokes Still Troubled By Finger Injury, Admits Captain Eoin Morgan
Ben Stokes. (Credits: Twitter)

Ben Stokes’ Finger Hasn’t Come Along As He And The Medical Team Would Have Liked: Eoin Morgan

However, after the isolation period, all of the first-choice England squad players have tested negative and ECB named a strong squad for the upcoming three-T20I match series against Pakistan. However, the name of Ben Stokes was missing from that squad and Eoin Morgan explained that his finger injury has still not 100% healed and they want him fit for the India Test series.

“We gave him every chance to be fit. He hasn’t played a lot of cricket and he’s had some R and R at home and feels quite fresh. But the finger hasn’t come along as he and the medical team would have liked. So it is important it is as good as it can be for the Test matches against India,” Morgan was quoted by standard.co.uk.

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes (Image Credit: Twitter)

Stokes made just 54 runs in two ODIs and bowled five overs as the likes of Saqib Mahmood, Lewis Gregory, James Vince, and Phil Salt took center stage. But Morgan was very impressed with his captaincy.

“I didn’t speak to Ben a lot. I spoke to him pre-series. He dug us out of a huge hole coming back early from his injury and I think leading the way he did is a huge compliment to the leader he is within our side, how mature he has been as a leader and now a captain.

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes (Image Credit: Twitter)

You could see in every game the opportunities he gave guys at different stages to learn more about them as players and looking at the bigger picture down the line, as opposed to throwing himself in at every opportunity. So I sort of sat back. I spoke to the coach a lot about different ideas, more long-term. It went really, really well, it was a great exercise,” Morgan said of Stokes’ captaincy.

The T20I series between England and Pakistan will begin on July 16 with the first match to be played at Nottingham.

Read More  USA Squad for T20 World Cup 2024 announced, Corey Anderson features, Unmukt Chand goes missing

Also Read: I Fear For The 100 & The Indian Test Series Unless The Isolation Laws Change: Michael Vaughan After Rishabh Pant Tests Positive For Covid