"I’d written a few teams down with me not bowling and it just didn’t work" - Ben Stokes ahead of his return in PAK vs ENG 2024 2nd Test
England captain Ben Stokes suggested that he would not have returned to play had he not been fully fit for the second Test against Pakistan, beginning on October 15. With the all-rounder struggling with his hamstring injury, the 33-year-old revealed that he tried to make a few team combinations without him bowling but it didn't seem right.
Stokes suffered the hamstring injury during The Hundred 2024 fixture between the Northern Superchargers and Manchester Originals, rendering him unavailable for the Test series against Sri Lanka. With his recovery process being an ongoing one, he missed the opening Test against Pakistan.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the left-handed batter asserted that he is available to bowl and suggested that playing on a used surface encouraged him to return. He said:
"Those were the sort of thoughts that went through my head at home before we came out. I’d written a few teams down with me not bowling and it just didn’t work. I’m obviously playing as a third seamer.
"Playing on a used wicket sort of made the decision a little bit easier. I’m available to bowl and obviously when I sense the time is right for me to maybe come on and make an impact there won’t be any doubts in my mind that I can bowl."
England have made two changes to the XI, with Stokes coming in for Chris Woakes, while Matthew Potts has replaced Gus Atkinson.
"I needed to make sure I ticked every box" - Ben Stokes
The Durham all-rounder also disclosed that he underwent intense training drills to ensure he is ready for the second Test, adding:
"I’ve put myself through quite a lot of high-intensity stuff: sprints, batting for long periods of time, then bowling in the first Test and these two days.
"I needed to make sure I ticked every box, to make sure I was confident within myself and confident over the rest of my body. I’ve done everything I need and we’re good to go."
Pakistan, meanwhile, have triggered four changes to their XI after a humiliating innings and 47-run defeat.