The ongoing cricket match between England and India has seen notable concerns regarding England’s captain Ben Stokes and his ability to bowl on the fifth day of the fourth Test match at Old Trafford. According to Matthew Henry’s recent report for BBC Sport, assistant coach Marcus Trescothick indicated that the team will “wait and see” how Stokes feels regarding his bowling capability as it has been a point of concern due to his recent injury issues. This uncertainty comes after Stokes accomplished an impressive feat by taking five wickets in the first innings, but he pained for the second innings due to discomfort.
After the fourth day’s play wrapped up, India stood at 174-2, still trailing by 137 runs. The match, filled with rising tensions, saw Stokes unable to bowl as India showed determination in their batting performance. Trescothick noted that Stokes felt “a bit stiff and sore” following an intense batting session that saw him cramping and retiring hurt while batting on day three. Fluctuating between hope and worry, Trescothick expressed that the coaching staff remained optimistic for a better outcome on day five.
Trescothick stated to BBC Test Match Special, “We are still hopeful he will be better tomorrow and come back out, be a bit looser and ready to go again. We will assess it overnight and see what happens.” Stokes’ fitness is particularly crucial to the team’s strategy as they look to build on their advantage and secure a victory over India.
The situation surrounding Stokes drew further attention throughout the day, especially as vice-captain Ollie Pope had commented earlier, claiming Stokes appeared “good to go.” However, despite this typically confident characterization, Stokes’ performance seemed hampered—he managed to score 141 runs, marking his first Test century in two years, yet his reluctance to bowl raised eyebrows. Observers noted his physical fatigue, often bending over on the field, furrowing their brows over his cracked hamstring during the play.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan echoed concerns regarding Stokes’ resilience, highlighting that “Ben Stokes chased one to deep extra cover, he held his hamstring, that was visible for everyone to see.” His formidable role as a player was evident; Vaughan indicated that one could sense Stokes hoped for a scenario where his bowling would not be necessary due to wickets falling aplenty in quick succession. Nonetheless, Vaughan positioned Stokes at the core of England’s attack strategy, intimating that without him, the bowling arsenal appeared alarmingly weakened.
As Stokes nursed his injuries, England’s Chris Woakes managed to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, driving the team closer to a victorious situation. However, the resilience observed from India’s Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, who batted expertly through the day, reignited Indian hope for a draw and retention of the series lead with one match still on the horizon.
Stokes’ injury struggles have been well documented, with surgical repairs made to his left hamstring and knee over recent months. His return to bowling occurred in late May; despite the pressures and the bumps on the journey, he has showcased himself as England’s most consistent seamer during the summer, boasting the highest wickets tally in this series. In light of his pronounced exertion, Trescothick candidly admitted the need for better management of Stokes’ workload in order to preserve his capabilities moving forward.
On yet another note, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak remarked on wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s situation, revealing that Pant would be ready to bat if needed, despite dealing with a broken foot. The match’s unpredictable nature, reliance on key players, and the looming question of Stokes’ capacity to contribute on day five offers a dramatic narrative that continues to unfold, encapsulating the high stakes of the ongoing Test series.
