Ashes 2017/18: Suspended Ben Stokes Will be Watching the Ashes
May 29, 2023 at 4:45 PM
The first Ashes Test began at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, and England chose to bat first after winning the toss.
England went in with six specialist batsmen, one all-rounder in Moeen Ali and four fast bowlers with Jake Ball making the cut for the first Test. Australia on the other hand, played seven batsmen and four bowlers with Nathan Lyon leading the spin department.
England was 59/1 in 29 overs before rain interrupted play just after the lunch break.
However, before the start of the match, former and current cricketers took to social media platform to wish their favourites to do well and win the series. One of them was the suspended England all-rounder Ben Stokes.
Stokes is under investigation for causing actual bodily harms to a 27-year old man outside a bar after England’s win against the Windies in Bristol. Stokes is reportedly set to receive a verdict on the case this week.
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) November 22, 2017
Stokes wished the England team good luck and said he’ll be watching,
“With the Ashes starting very soon, I just wanted to get a message out the all the boys out in the Australia, wishing them all the best for the first Test match, I know how much preparation has gone into making sure everyone’s right and ready to go. And by the looks of it, everyone is.”
“I just wanted to wish all the fans who made the long travels out to Australia all the best as well. I hope we can give you a good result in the first Test match. I’ll be sat at home watching and following the lads and hoping they do really well.”
England captain Joe Root in an interview said the focus of the team is currently on the preparations and not on the verdict, but he also said that he would love to have him back.
“I think if you asked any captain in the world in any form of cricket ‘would you prefer to have Ben Stokes in your squad?’ … they would all say yes,”
England lost the wicket of Alastair Cook in the third over with the team’s score of two. James Vince and Mark Stoneman were at the crease as the play resumed after a rain interruption.
Also Read-: Ashes 2017/18: Ricky Ponting Believes England Have Only One Way To Avoid Humiliation