Stokes back to create havoc

Andrew Alderson

England are set to welcome the return of Ben Stokes’ destructive batting capability to their test XI for the first time since September.

Captain Joe Root declared the allrounder ready to play, although a question hangs over how much he will bowl after a recent back twinge.

“There’s still stuff that needs to come out of today [last evening’s practice] so we need to be sure of that, but I’m quite happy Ben will play a part in the game.”

England were unable to get into the floodlit outdoor nets due to rain.

Root needs to establish how much Stokes can accomplish with the ball. If he can’t bowl, the likelihood is he will bat at No 5 and Dawid Malan will replace James Vince at No 3. Craig Overton would likely come in as an extra pace bowling option.

“You get three players with Ben and, on his day, probably the best three players within the side all in one,” Root said.

“It is a huge boost to have him coming back. He is such a good character around the dressingroom. When he speaks about the game, he gets everyone’s attention and people listen.”

Stokes has played two tests against New Zealand, both in May 2015.

The first — his 10th cap in a 39-test career — is unlikely to have been forgotten by six incumbent Black Caps at Lord’s.

England had been reduced to 30 for four on the first morning after getting sent in. The mercury in the “Bring Back Kevin Pietersen” thermometer threatened to burst.

Then Stokes and Root put on 161 for the fifth wicket to draw them back into the game. Stokes made 92 off 94 balls.

“I always back the way I play, regardless of the situation,” he said at the time.

“Another day I could have looked like a wally and nicked out for 20. Farby [assistant coach Paul Farbrace] said ‘everyone backs you in the changing room. Don’t change anything because of the three lions’ [the symbol on England’s crest].”

Stokes doubled down with 101 off 92 balls in the second innings on what became a man-of-the-match performance combined with three second innings wickets for 38.

The plan seemed to be to pitch short because Stokes would be tempted to hook and pull in the air. He took the bait and triumphed. What has evolved after that match is day-night test cricket, which debuted in November 2015 between New Zealand and Australia at Adelaide. The pink ball used had four strips of green seam and two of white. It is now stitched in black.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson appreciated the change.

“Over the last 10 days [of practice] it’s easier to identify the seam.

“I recall with the last one where you couldn’t see the seam and sometimes it was hard to get your bearings of where it was square of the wicket, maybe if there was a big slash.

“The lights would shine on the fluorescent pink and make it a bit different to see.”

Root said that regardless of the pink ball under lights, cricketing fundamentals could not be forgotten.

“Ultimately the basics are there, and proven to work across three formats.”