ENG Vs SA: Ben Stokes Claims He Was Ruled Out Of ICC World Cup 2023 Just On The Brink Of The Tournament

Ben Stokes’ road to recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. After hearing his left hip “pop” during a fitness session in Guwahati, there were initial fears that his ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 journey might end before it even began. However, the dynamic all-rounder now appears set to make a triumphant return to action, targeting the South Africa clash as England seeks to get their World Cup campaign back on track.

The injury scare came during a fitness session at the Radisson Blu hotel in Guwahati shortly after England arrived in India at the end of September. Ben Stokes, along with England’s strength and conditioning coach Andy Mitchell, heard a noise that was later identified as Stokes “ripping the fascia off my muscle.” Though scans provided relief by ruling out a severe injury, for nearly 36 hours, Stokes feared that his World Cup dreams were dashed.

Stokes, in a recent revelation, stated, “When I initially did it, I thought I was done because it’s not good hearing a ‘pop’. Thankfully, it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as we initially thought… We got a program in place straight away, and it went really well. I’m here now, physically available for selection, so it’s pretty good.”

The 2023 World Cup has not been kind to England, and the return of a player of Ben Stokes’ caliber could provide the spark they desperately need. The all-rounder, known for his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, has been working diligently to regain his fitness and ensure he doesn’t hinder the team.

Ben Stokes successfully navigated England’s training session in Mumbai on Thursday, demonstrating his readiness for a comeback. He undertook range-hitting for around half an hour against sidearm throws, providing reassurance to the team and fans alike.

Despite not being in the playing XI, Ben Stokes has been an influential figure off the field. He addressed his teammates following England’s loss to Afghanistan, urging them to quickly put the defeat behind them and look ahead. Described as England’s “spiritual leader” by coach Matthew Mott, Stokes has also been a confidant to captain Jos Buttler.

Ben Stokes Implies That He Is Not A Messiah

Stokes has emphasized the importance of playing their attacking style of cricket, urging his teammates not to be timid but to embrace their fearless brand of cricket. He added, “We want to go out and show the opposition what England is and what we’ve been known for… It’s just reminding ourselves about what we do best as a group of players: to always be on top of the opposition and make the plays, and make them be the reactive team, as opposed to us.”

Ben Stokes’ return is likely to prompt a reshuffling of England’s lineup to accommodate his presence. The team’s dynamic balance will see Harry Brook retain his place after his impressive showing against Afghanistan, with Ben Stokes stepping in as an all-rounder. While he won’t be bowling at the World Cup, his role as a batsman and fielder remains vital. He also stated that he is just a small part of England’s team and not a messiah.

He stated, “I’m not the Messiah. I think Woody [Mark Wood] said that which is true: I’m one person in a team sport, one person who can add certain bits. It doesn’t all of a sudden mean you’re going to win a game because I’m just a very small part of a bigger entity.”

The Wankhede stadium, where the match against South Africa will take place, is known for its high-scoring nature and offers pace and bounce, which should suit England. However, Stokes remains grounded, stressing that he is just one part of the larger team and that victory is a collective effort.

As England looks to rejuvenate their World Cup campaign, Ben Stokes’ return adds a glimmer of hope and inspiration. His remarkable journey from injury to readiness exemplifies his determination and commitment to the team’s cause. Stokes’ presence, both on and off the field, is bound to elevate England’s performance and aspirations in the 2023 ODI World Cup.