England head coach Brendon McCullum mentioned captain Ben Stokes shall be “hurting” after the 2-1 Check collection defeat in opposition to Pakistan. Regardless of profitable the opening match of the collection, England didn’t make large inroads within the final two video games and faltered in opposition to the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in Multan and Rawalpindi to lose their second collection underneath Stokes’ management. The all-rounder missed the primary Check owing to a hamstring harm and solely scored 53 runs in 4 innings and went wicketless within the 10 overs he bowled.
“He is dissatisfied however he is our skipper and we all know he is powerful. He’ll ensure he’ll come again. It is our job to ensure we wrap our arms round him and assist him alongside the way in which,” McCullum mentioned.
“He’s dissatisfied, naturally. Everyone knows how aggressive and pushed the skipper is. He’ll be hurting proper now with how the collection has unfolded.
“That harm was fairly vital. He needed to put in a whole lot of graft and subconsciously possibly you are not fairly as screwed down as you will be when it comes to decision-making. That is pure,” he added.
Stokes has confronted an inconsistent couple of years along with his health. All through a lot of 2023, his bowling was restricted by a persistent left knee subject. He underwent surgical procedure in November of that yr and returned as a full all-rounder through the summer time dwelling collection. Nonetheless, he then injured his hamstring whereas enjoying in The Hundred in August.
The 33-year-old missed 4 Assessments, together with the collection opener in Pakistan, which England gained. He returned for the second match – a loss on a reused pitch in Multan – and significantly struggled within the ultimate Check in Rawalpindi.
Stokes managed simply 15 runs throughout two innings and did not bowl. On the second afternoon, his usually proactive captaincy appeared unusually passive as Saud Shakeel scored a century, placing Pakistan in management.
In England’s second innings, Stokes was unusually dismissed lbw to a supply from spinner Noman Ali after not providing a shot. England have been in the end bowled out for 112, their lowest complete in Pakistan, organising a nine-wicket victory for the hosts.
England face a fast turnaround to their subsequent tour: a three-Check collection in New Zealand beginning on the finish of November. The squad is anticipated to be introduced quickly, with few adjustments anticipated. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed could also be changed, probably by a further batter or wicketkeeper, to cowl Jamie Smith, who may miss half or the entire tour as a result of delivery of his first baby.
The primary Check shall be held in Christchurch, the place Stokes was born earlier than transferring to the UK at age 12.
“He’ll be higher for the run, little question. Will probably be a few weeks off, clean up and again to circumstances that are a bit extra much like England. It is one other alternative for us,” mentioned McCullum.
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