Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad thinks the team should make the most of their captain Ben Stokes not being able to play in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, and put on a strong performance. Stokes has been forced to sit out for the rest of the summer season after hurting his hamstring while playing in The Hundred.
Stokes hurt his hamstring on Sunday, August 11 during a match between his team, Northern Superchargers, and the Manchester Originals in The Hundred. After the Superchargers were set a target of 153 runs to chase, Stokes came out to bat but had to leave the game due to his hamstring injury. The England captain was carried off the field and has now been ruled out of the summer season by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). However, Broad hopes the England team, which will be led by Ollie Pope in Stokes’s absence, can find a positive outcome from this unfortunate situation.
“It’s unfortunate for the Test team because he seemed very fit. He’s put a lot of effort into his fitness. But, as they say in sports, we should focus on the positives. This situation gives England the opportunity to play against Sri Lanka without Ben Stokes, which they will need to do at some point. Broad explained to PA News Agency.
“Stokes hasn’t been able to bowl for over a year and a half but has been playing as a batter. What if something happens to Stokes the night before the Brisbane match in 18 months? It’s crucial for Ollie Pope, the replacement captain, to gain some experience and see how the team performs without Ben Stokes. We don’t want that to happen, but we need to find the positives in it, and Stokes will still be around,” Broad continued.
Stuart Broad shared a chat he had with Ben Stokes, the England captain, who playfully mentioned that he would be cheering for the team as a coach during the Sri Lanka series.
Broad mentioned, “He’s already sent me a message saying he’ll be the coach, so I’m not sure what Baz (Brendon McCullum) will be doing,” Broad said.
England will begin their first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Old Trafford cricket ground on August 21.
