2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Ben Stokes Passes Fitness Test; Set To Feature In Opener Against Bangladesh
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:51 PM
A sigh of relief for the England fans, as the first match of the Champions Trophy, kickstarts at the Oval with the confirmation of all-rounder Ben Stokes gaining complete fitness after he suffered a knee injury just before the 3rd ODI against South Africa at Lord’s, lately.
When asked about Stokes’s pre-game workout, captain Eoin Morgan replied:
‘We’ll see how it goes. It will be as much as he feels he needs.’ For him, it’s confidence and getting through his delivery without any pain and being able to slam his foot down. It’s about psychologically being at ease with that, and then just going straight into the game.’
Stokes suffered an injury during the ongoing England vs South Africa ODI series and it was rumoured that he would go on a fitness test prior to inclusion in the squad.
A key to their chances of leaving an early impact in the tournament could be the fitness of Stokes, who arrived at the ground before the rest of the England squad and undergone an early-morning fitness test on the mystery injury to his left knee that can cause pain in his delivery stride.
Ben Stokes, as described by the captain is the key player fo the team and an all-rounder. He is like “playing with two players”.
Bangladesh has won four out of seven ODIs in their last face off with England and also won the last two ICC face-offs. England would be hoping to clinch this opportunity for a revenge.
ICC first confirmed the news through their Twitter handle before ECB’s official account gave weight to the above-mentioned statement.
Great news for England with Ben Stokes making it through this morning’s fitness test unscathed ?#CT17 #ENGvBAN https://t.co/s9rXRrZCPk
— ICC (@ICC) June 1, 2017