England is quite jittery because of the IPL. Why? Ben Stokes. Yes, Stokes’s participation in the IPL has created a flutter among the English supporters and the ECB. Australia will land in England in June for the next bout of Ashes. Stokes being the English and the man alongwith McCullum responsible for introducing Bazball, is a key figure. Not just for his batting and bowling but also for his captaincy. He infused in the England side an aggressive mindset and not to be afraid of anything. Eoin Morgan did that some years ago for the English white-ball teams but to effect, something similar in Tests calls for a lot of courage. Test wins are not that easy. Let me elaborate on the English supporters concerned about Stokes.
Stokes had been out of action for close to a year when he complained about being mentally sick. He was also involved in a brawl fight and as such, he was under tremendous pressure. In the documentary, Ben Stokes on Netflix, he reveals his state of mind at that point. He even contemplated leaving the game. Better sense prevailed later. A knee injury set him further back and as a result, he stopped bowling a lot of overs. There was a period when it was simply impossible to take the ball away from Stokes. Against Australia in 2019, he bowled a marathon spell of 15 overs at a good pace that kept England in the game.
The importance of Stokes
In an Ashes year, the presence of Stokes will create an electrical effect on the entire England squad but the ECB is worried that excessive cricket and excessive bowling during the IPL may result in an injury that will rule Stokes out of The Ashes. If it happens, it will be a massive blow for England. They do not have an obvious replacement for being the captain and will be forced to go back to Root. Broad or Anderson are not the answers because both of them are likely to miss certain Tests. They may even go back to the conservative way of playing the game. These are legitimate fears.
Stokes is the fulcrum around whom the entire England side revolves. He can bat with great aggression when it is required and can bat for time when the going is tough. Ofcourse, nowadays, playing for time is not an option any longer under Bazball but his importance can never be overstated. His mere presence will have a terrific impact on the rest. There is always this expectation that Stokes will do something magical.
Brendan McCullum has played down such fears of Stokes being injured and being unavailable against Australia. He insisted that, “The Ashes is the script the skipper is waiting to write.” McCullum also said, “I don’t think he’s jeopardising it. The Chennai set-up is excellent in looking after their players and they’ve a very good medical team and he will be well looked after. Stokes himself is frustrated that the injury prevented him from contributing fully during the thrilling one run defeat against New Zealand.
The ball is in CSK’s court
What will CSK do? How will they help Stokes maintain his fitness? This will be followed quite keenly by ECB and England. Stokes, who is the most expensive cricketer signed by CSK arrived in the country and has been practising with the players. It has since been confirmed that Stokes will not bowl in the initial games and that he will play only as a batsman. McCullum has indeed publicly placed his faith in the CSK set-up and he has also said that he will talk to the CSK coach Stephen Fleming. Hussey, the batting coach for his part, wants to see the best of Stokes in The Ashes.
“I want a fit Ben Stokes playing his best cricket at the Ashes. This franchise is very professional, works very closely with all the national boards, and I know our physio has already been working with the ECB physios. I want to see his best cricket at the Ashes; I want both teams at their best, going hard at it and I think it will be an unbelievable series to watch.”
Personally, I can only pity the CSK administrators. They have afterall pumped in 16.25 Crores on one player and would they be willing to see that player perform only half of his duties? CSK never had an allrounder of the calibre of Stokes. Jadeja is there but he is a spinner and on batting pitches, his bowling will be a liability. Stokes is capable of being the 3rd seamer thereby freeing a spot for another batsman or a bowler or an allrounder.
Wrapping up English supporters concerned about Stokes
A fully fit and motivated Stokes is a treat to watch. Afterall, The Ashes will be his first as captain of England. The last series in Australia will be fresh on his mind. The manner of the defeat, without a semblance of a fight including the 2.5-day game at Melbourne and his own lack of runs or wickets, will all rankle for. He will want to set the record straight. Australia has held onto the Ashes since 2017. If not for Stokes’s own extraordinary innings at Headingley, Australia would have won the last time around in England. Stokes will want to clear all that and win The Ashes outright. For that, he himself must be fit. For that, CSK will have to chip in.