Stokes ready to deal with increased workload despite feeling sore all over
The England captain struggled with cramp in his left leg and was feeling his shoulder as the hosts failed to bowl India out in their second innings at Old Trafford on Sunday and had to settle for a fourth test draw.
Stokes took his first five-wicket haul for eight years in India's first innings, an impressive feat given his recent injury issues.
"It's just a workload sort of thing," Stokes told reporters after the draw with India left England leading 2-1 in the five-match series.
"We got a fair amount of overs and everything starts creeping up on you. I'll keep trying, keep going and as I say to all the bowlers: pain is just an emotion.
"I'll always try to run through a brick wall for the team."
Stokes revealed he had hurt his bicep tendon, with his injury niggles the result of a taxing workload that has seen him already send down 140 overs in four tests - the most he has ever bowled in a series.
However, Stokes, the leading wicket-taker of the series, is optimistic of taking to the field at the Oval on Thursday as England try to seal a 3-1 series triumph.
"Hopefully I will be alright going for the last one," he said. "I am doing everything possible to be alright. It's been a big five or six weeks, I'll always try to give everything I possibly can.
"I don't want to eat my words, but the likelihood I won't play is very unlikely."
India showed great character to battle to an unexpected draw, given they are a young team. Shubman Gill, 25, is playing his first test series as captain following the retirements of Indian greats Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Coach Gautam Gambhir reserved special praise for his skipper, who became only the third captain to score four hundreds in a single test series to help his side salvage a draw.
"These are characters who are sat in the dressing room wanting to fight for their country," Gambhir told reporters.
"I don't believe in something like transition. It is still an Indian team. It is only experience and inexperience. Being under pressure, batting five sessions against an attack like England, will do so much for them.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
21 hours ago
- CNA
Latham out injured, Santner to lead NZ v Zimbabwe in opening test
New Zealand captain Tom Latham will miss the opening test against Zimbabwe with a shoulder injury and Mitch Santner will step in to lead the side, New Zealand Cricket said on the eve of the match beginning in Bulawayo on Wednesday. Latham suffered the injury while fielding during a T20 match for Birmingham in the Vitality Blast earlier this month and has not recovered sufficiently to be included in the playing 11, the NZC said. Latham will stay in Zimbabwe with New Zealand hoping he will be fit for the second test starting on Aug. 7. "It's hugely disappointing for Tom to be missing the first test, as captain but also as an integral part of the team," head coach Rob Walter said. "It's never great when you lose your captain, who's a world-class opening batter and a great team man, but that said we're going to work really hard to have him available for the second test. "We'll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary, but at this stage we are hopeful that he'll recover in time." White-ball captain Santner oversaw New Zealand's T20 tri-series victory in Harare where they remained undefeated throughout the five-match series. "Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad in this recent series," Walter said. "He was excellent from a strategy point of view and he has a strong understanding of the game. "Whilst the format is different, he certainly has the respect of the players and will be supported by some highly experienced test cricketers, so I trust that he's going to do a great job."
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Broad, Hussain warn England against risking Archer at the Oval
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fourth Test - England v India - Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, Britain - July 26, 2025 England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of India's Shubman Gill Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes/File Photo England will be putting fast bowler Jofra Archer at risk of a fresh injury if they select him for the fifth and final match against India at the Oval this week, according to former test players Stuart Broad and Nasser Hussain. Archer is taking part in his first test series in four years after overcoming elbow and back injuries. The 30-year-old sat out the first two matches before claiming five wickets in his return to the format at Lord's and four in the drawn Manchester test. While India could draw the series with a win at the Oval, Broad told Sky Sports that England should prioritize Archer's long-term fitness. "We can't not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years," he said. "(Josh) Tongue started the series, and I know he mainly got lower-order players out, but you probably have a natural replacement for Archer." England have added fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton to their tiring pace battery. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse have played all four tests, while skipper Ben Stokes said he would "run through a brick wall" to try to be available for the final test beginning on Thursday. Gus Atkinson and Tongue are likely to feature in the decisive final test, and England are likely to rest Archer with the Ashes series against Australia in four months' time. "I don't think you can have Archer playing three on the bounce coming back after four years," former England captain Hussain told Sky Sports. "Gus Atkinson coming back after a long time, and then Stokes with a niggle as three of your four seamers - but I would definitely play Atkinson on his home ground if fit." REUTERS
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Broad, Hussain warn England against risking Archer at the Oval
England will be putting fast bowler Jofra Archer at risk of a fresh injury if they select him for the fifth and final match against India at the Oval this week, according to former test players Stuart Broad and Nasser Hussain. Archer is taking part in his first test series in four years after overcoming elbow and back injuries. The 30-year-old sat out the first two matches before claiming five wickets in his return to the format at Lord's and four in the drawn Manchester test. While India could draw the series with a win at the Oval, Broad told Sky Sports that England should prioritize Archer's long-term fitness. "We can't not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years," he said. "(Josh) Tongue started the series, and I know he mainly got lower-order players out, but you probably have a natural replacement for Archer." England have added fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton to their tiring pace battery. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse have played all four tests, while skipper Ben Stokes said he would "run through a brick wall" to try to be available for the final test beginning on Thursday. Gus Atkinson and Tongue are likely to feature in the decisive final test, and England are likely to rest Archer with the Ashes series against Australia in four months' time. "I don't think you can have Archer playing three on the bounce coming back after four years," former England captain Hussain told Sky Sports.
