NEW DELHI:
England
captain
Ben Stokes
has suggested a potential return to bowling duties for the remaining Tests in India, indicating positive progress in his recovery from a knee operation.
The 32-year-old revealed that he bowled at "100 percent" during
warm-up sessions
, raising hopes of bolstering England's lineup for the crucial matches ahead.
Stokes, who hasn't bowled in the first three Tests of the series due to his ongoing rehabilitation, acknowledged the impact of his absence on England's performance, with India currently leading the five-match contest 2-1.
The consecutive defeats have also seen England slide to eighth in the World Test Championship standings, intensifying the need for a
series recovery
to keep their hopes alive for a final berth at Lord's next year.
While cautious about his return, Stokes expressed optimism about his prospects, stating, "I managed to bowl at 100 percent in one of the warm-up days here which made me feel pretty good."
However, he emphasized the importance of a detailed discussion with the medical team to assess his workload and minimize any risk.
England coach
Brendon McCullum
echoed Stokes' sentiments, welcoming the potential return of the all-rounder to the bowling crease but emphasizing the need for caution.
"Ben won't bowl unless he thinks he's legitimately able to bowl," McCullum stated, underscoring Stokes' strategic approach to his recovery.
(AI-generated image)
McCullum also highlighted the depth in England's squad, with options like Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson available on the sidelines.
He emphasized that the final decision on Stokes' bowling availability and the composition of the XI would depend on assessing the conditions in Ranchi, where the fourth Test is scheduled to commence on Friday.
"We've got a group of players here who have played some outstanding cricket so far over the last three Test matches," McCullum added, expressing confidence in England's squad despite the challenging circumstances.
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(With inputs from IANS)
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