Stokes bowled tirelessly long spells on the first day of the 2nd Ashes Test at Adelaide. At Brisbane last week, he got through just 12 overs after jarring his knee while fielding. But having been reassured of no serious damage, he’s pushed himself through the pain in this Test, serving up 25 overs all told to finish as England’s most successful wicket-taker in a long, hard batting display by the Aussies.
In the absence of Mark Wood, England’s one genuine 90mph option within their squad, Stokes was given the role as the attack’s point of difference, with a sustained spell of short-pitched bowling aimed to discomfort Australia’s batters. The plan paid off on the first day, when David Warner carved a short ball to cover to fall for 95, while Stokes suggested it might also have played an important part in the dismissal of Cameron Green, who failed to get fully forward to the full-length delivery that bowled him for 2 on the second afternoon.
Stokes talks his bowling plan, his batting to come on the 2nd Day
“It was about trying to create a different type of environment out there for the batters,” Stokes said. “It does look odd when you run and bowl 11 overs of short stuff, but in my first couple of spells I felt like I was creating quite a lot of chances and they weren’t really going anywhere. It wasn’t until the third spell today that we started to leak a few runs. But you can create chances and leak a few runs by trying to hit the top off as well.”
“I didn’t get anywhere near the amount of runs I would have wanted to in the first game,” Stokes said, “but how I look at batting, it’s not always about the runs that I score but how I felt out in the middle.
“I’ve felt good in the nets and I felt really good out in the middle both times, I just wasn’t able to go on and get that big score. So I will be going out with the same mindset like I did in Brisbane.”e
England must showcase grit and determination if they wish to comeback in this test, and ultimately the series. Root and Malan, the experienced duo, who put on a good show at Brisbane, will have plenty of expectations from themselves as well.
“Obviously the first Test didn’t go well and Australia are ahead at the moment, but we know that back home we will be getting as much support as we always do,” he said. “We really appreciate it and it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.