Ben Stokes Is Someone We'd Miss Even If He Was Unable To Bowl Or Hit A Ball: Jofra Archer

Ahead of the second Test against Pakistan, England pacer Jofra Archer has stated the hosts will miss the services of talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes. The England superstar won’t be part of the team for the final two Tests against Pakistan due to personal reasons.

England are eyeing their first Test series win over Pakistan in a decade. Their last two series against the opposition at home ended in stalemates. The Joe Root-led side now has a perfect opportunity to beat Pakistan in a Test series. They currently lead the three-match series after winning the series-opener by three wickets. The second Test is scheduled to be played at Ageas Bowl starting Thursday.

“We now have to complete the job without Ben Stokes. He is someone we would miss even if he was unable to bowl or hit a ball. He has such an impact in the changing room beyond what he does in the middle,” Jofra Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail.

“When I was in quarantine in Manchester, he would come past my hotel room each night after play – as did Joe Root – knock on the door and check on me. He cares about those around him.

“If you are going into battle, Stokes is the person you want right next to you. He would never run away from a challenge, but family is so important and he has to be in New Zealand right now.

“We all understand that, support him and hope things settle quickly and he can come back when he is ready,” he added.

Missing Ben Stokes will be a big blow for the hosts. The reigning ICC Player of the Year has been in stunning form and recently starred with both bat and ball in the Test series win over West Indies last month. He had scored a century, a fifty in addition to picking up 9 wickets as England won the three-match series 2-1 after losing the series opener.

The allrounder, however, failed to make a mark in the first Test against Pakistan. He was out for a duck before scoring nine runs in the second innings. With the ball, he had picked up 2 wickets.

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