Former England skipper, Eoin Morgan has backed Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer to manage well amid all injury concerns in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star all-rounder Stokes is sidelined due to a toe injury, after playing the first two games, while Mumbai Indians (MI) speedster, Archer is believed to be having trouble with his elbow, as he missed MI’s last two fixtures.
Eoin Morgan says Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes are preparing for Ashes-
“They are two very experienced players. They know their bodies inside out. Ben has managed his body exceptionally well through all three formats his whole career,”
“Jofra is back and bowling well; obviously he had a little bit of setback. But these players know their bodies, they are preparing for the full year not (for) just an IPL season,” said the former English skipper.
Earlier, CSK’s star all-rounder, considered his first priority to be ready for the upcoming Ashes series in July 2023, while Stokes suffered an injury in their last Test series against New Zealand.
“Ben clearly is not struggling; he went down with an illness (toe injury). (About) Jofra, I am not sure but he has a niggle. If they are not playing in the IPL they would be playing County cricket which is exactly the same risk level. It is actually a bigger risk level because (they would be) bowling more overs and playing four-day cricket,” he further added.
Moreover, Archer has not featured for MI post their season-opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which they lost in a one-sided manner after RCB chased down the target of 172 runs by 8 wickets.
Ben Stokes was back bowling yesterday in the IPL ? pic.twitter.com/UHeRrpSE5x
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) April 4, 2023
“For me, IPL is the best against the best and it puts you under huge amount of pressure, very similar to international cricket. This year being a World Cup and an Ashes year (there is) added responsibility.
“For those two players, you don’t have to remind them how much confidence it gives when you perform at the IPL, said Morgan.
As India will solely host the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, the English team will be the defending champions, as Eoin Morgan-led side beat New Zealand in the finals of the 2019 edition, where Stokes was Player of the Match for his 84* (98), Archer was also part of the title-winning squad.
The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is expected to get underway on October 5, India is hosting this event solely for the first time, since hosting it three times in past with neighbouring countries. The grand finale of the ODI WC 2023 is likely scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.