WE’VE GOT FIREPOWER
England back-up can do the job without Ben
LIAM PLUNKETT says England have the bowling firepower to take down any team in the Champions Trophy – with or without Ben Stokes.
The side’s star all-rounder was passed fit for the second ODI against South Africa at Southampton today after suffering a knee injury in Wednesday’s opening win.
But Plunkett insisted the back-up options available to England are strong enough to get them past not only South Africa but all of the other seven teams in the ICC event.
“I think we’ve got the bowlers to win the Champions Trophy,” he said.
“We’ve got pace with Woody [Mark Wood], myself on some days, you’ve got Dave [David Willey] with the left-arm option, the team could change.
Hurt
“Rash [Adil Rashid] is taking a lot of wickets, can clean people up in the middle and has been huge for us.
“If Ben is not playing, then you’d be disappointed because he can change a game with bat, ball or in the field and it would hurt the team, but we’ve got players who can come in.”
Stokes felt soreness in his left knee after bowling two overs in the first ODI against the Proteas and while he returned to the field, captain Eoin Morgan held him back.
The 25-year-old showed no ill-effects yesterday, getting through a practice session without discomfort and receiving the green light to play a full part today.
Should he suffer any reaction in the coming days England will have a bit of thinking to do about his replacement, given they could opt to replace either runs or wickets. And while the back-up bowlers might fancy their chances of a run today, both Sam Billings and Jonny Bairstow are as likely to come in to bolster the batting.
“If the decision is made to rest Stokes,
then we back whoever comes in,” Plunkett added.
“If it was Jonny you’d back him to get a hundred. If it was Sam the same. If a bowler came in you’d back them to take wickets.”
England will look to seal a series win today ahead of Monday’s final ODI at Lord’s before their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh next Thursday.