Former England fast bowler Stuart Board believes the team must remain positive even in the absence of captain Ben Stokes for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Ben has been ruled out for the whole remaining English summer due to a hamstring injury. In the meantime, the first Test match between England and Sri Lanka will take place on August 21.
The injury occurred on Sunday when Stokes was forced to retire for being hurt during a match for Northern Superchargers. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also confirmed that all-rounder will miss the rest of the season. As Ollie Pope is set to captain the team in Stokes’ absence, Board has suggested the team to find potential chances within challenge.
“It’s a real shame for the Test-match team because he looked so fit. He’s worked so hard on his fitness. But to use that old sporting saying of ‘take the positives’, it actually gives England the chance to play against Sri Lanka with a make-up of team without Ben Stokes, that they are going to have to trial at some stage,” said Broad.
“Stokesy hasn’t been able to bowl for a year-and-a-half but has been playing as a batter. What happens the night before Brisbane in 18 months’ time if Stokesy’s not very well? It’s important for (replacement captain) Ollie Pope to get some experience and see what a team looks like without Ben Stokes – not that any of us would want that particularly, but you’ve got to find the positives in that and Stokesy will still be around,” Broad added.
Stuart shared a humorous story about one of his conversation with Ben Stokes. Ben jokingly suggested he would take on a role of coach during the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
“He’s already texted me saying he’s going to be the coach so I don’t know what Baz (Brendon McCullum) is going to be doing,” Broad concluded.
