Will Ben Stokes Bowl Against India In 4th Test? Brendon McCullum’s Clear Answer | Cricket News

Back-to-back heavy defeats in opposition to India have compelled England captain Ben Stokes to contemplate an early return to bowling with head coach Brendon McCullum admitting that though it is a good signal, they do not need the all-rounder to push himself unnecessarily. Stokes, who remains to be recovering from a knee surgical procedure, hasn’t bowled for the reason that second Ashes Test in June final yr. “Well, it’s good that he’s actually getting into a state where he thinks he might bowl,” McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Monday.

“But Ben is clever; he’s really clever as well. He won’t bowl unless he thinks he’s legitimately able to bowl. The problem would be if he starts getting into a spell and then he can’t get out of the spell. So we’ll see what unfolds.

“If he does get that bit between his enamel, then let’s have a look at the place the hazard lies there and attempt to pull him away from it. But it is a good signal,” McCullum added.

Ahead of the Rajkot Test, Stokes had said he “pinky promised” his physiotherapist he won’t be bowling in the ongoing series.

But when asked if he will be reprising his all-rounder’s role after the 434-run defeat in the third Test on Sunday, Stokes said, “I’m not saying sure, I’m not saying no”.

“Me being me, I’m all the time very optimistic about most issues. That will likely be a extra detailed chat with the medical crew about what workload I’ve executed to go me off as not being an enormous threat.” During the Rajkot Test, Stokes had even trained at 100 per cent intensity and conceded that he felt pretty good.

“I managed to bowl at 100 per cent in one of many warm-up days right here which made me really feel fairly good. I felt like I may have bowled within the recreation however that may have been silly.” After winning the series opener by 28 runs, England fell to a 106-run defeat followed by one of their worst losses in Rajkot to go 2-1 down in the series with matches left in Ranchi and Dharamsala.

The England team would benefit immensely if the pace all-rounder started bowling again. The visitors opted to field just one seamer in the first two Tests. They dropped Shoaib Bashir to pick both James Anderson and Mark Wood in the third game.

England’s “Bazball” approach has also backfired big time in the third Test which they lost by a massive 434 runs, their largest defeat in terms of runs since 1934.

But McCullum said while the defeat is definitely hurting the visitors, they will continue with their attacking ‘Bazball’ approach in the remainder of the five-match series.

McCullum said he has “no regrets” about their approach.

“We’ll flip the web page and go quids in once more making an attempt to place India below stress,” McCullum was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

“Hopefully, in seven or eight days we’ll be speaking about how thrilling it’s to be heading right into a decider.” 

(This story has been edited by Mahaz News workers …)