Ben Stokes hopeful of fulfilling his bowling duties in the Ashes

England’s talismanic red-ball skipper Ben Stokes hasn’t been able to live up to his usual high standards for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023, but the influential all-rounder is happy to be able to bowl without any pain. CSK’s record signing bowled a solitary over for his side during their victory against Lucknow Super Giants at Chepauk.

Ben Stokes has often been seen holding his knee while bowling for the national side, and the English all-rounder was reduced to just nine overs in four innings during England’s two-match Test series in New Zealand earlier this year, due to his much-maligned knee injury.

He was not expected to bowl in the game against Lucknow, given his troublesome knee issues but bowled an over of medium pace to the surprise of a fair few onlookers. The 31-year-old revealed that he felt no pain while bowling and is hopeful of fulfilling the role of the fourth seamer for England in the Ashes starting June 16.

“It’s been a very frustrating year, bowling with this knee problem. Not being able to fulfil my role as fourth seamer has been very frustrating. I’ve worked so hard over the last month to get to where I am now. Being able to bowl pain-free has been good. I managed to bowl an over without any pain in my knee (in the IPL) and that is down to a lot of hard work. Everything is going nicely, and just take it step by step and not look to rush myself. The main priority for me is making sure I can fulfil my role as fourth seamer in the Ashes,” England’s Test skipper told Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports.

Although he leaked 18 runs in his solitary over for CSK, the English all-rounder is taking things one step at a time and is hoping to be fit and ready to bowl in the highly anticipated Ashes. The first Ashes Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham.