England downplays Ben Stokes Injury as New Zealand Test looms ahead

England Cricket Team has minimised injury issues with Ben Stokes ahead of the Tests series against New Zealand. Also, the management feels he will play the first Test.

Stokes sustained a back niggle during the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand. Since then he has not trained with the side.

The all-rounder also missed England’s two-day warm-up against a New Zealand XI. Meanwhile, the Test series starts on March 22 in Auckland.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace admitted that Stokes would feature in the second warm-up game. The second warm-up game starts this Friday. But, Farbace stressed Stoke was on track to feature with both bat and ball for the day-night Test at Eden Park.

“There’s plenty of time next week for him to get over and be ready for the Test match in Auckland,” Farbace said to Sky Sports UK.

However, if he plays, it will be his first Test match since the nightclub incident in Bristol. Also, it forced Stokes out of the Ashes series.

He pleaded not guilty in Bristol Crown Court this week to a charge of affray, appearing via video link from New Zealand.

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