Ben’s return a lift enough for Morgan
you’ve been away and you’re back in a fun environment with lots of good friends around.
“We needed something to happen and he’s the kind of player who can make something happen.”
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, who top-scored for England with 79, added: “Ben bowled the quickest of the lot. He hit the gloves hard. It is fantastic to have him back.” Joe Root was another positive for England, the Yorkshireman hitting his eighth 50-plus score in 11 matches this winter, marking his return to action after being rested for the recent T20 Tri-Series.
Yet the latest fitness concern for injury-plagued fast bowler Mark Wood is a worry for
England. Wood missed the Ashes after failing to recover from an ankle injury and that same problem has flared up again.
“He has picked up a soreness the last couple of days,” said Morgan. “We’ll see how he’s assessed over the next 24 hours to see whether he will participate in the next game or we build a plan as to when he can come back.”
HOW HE FARED
Ben Stokes’ comeback match for England brought him 12 runs and two wickets. Here, Express Sport takes a look at how his day unfolded in Hamilton. Named in Eoin Morgan’s team for his first international since September 24 last year. A barely discernible ripple of polite applause from the Seddon Park crowd greets the PA announcement of Stokes’ name in the line-up. Acknowledged warmly around the ground as he strides out with England 104-3. Off the mark first ball with a single to long-on off Ish Sodhi. He is dropped on just two, Trent Boult putting down a sharp return chance in his follow-through. Stokes hits his first international boundary in five months, taking on the reversesweep against Sodhi and connecting well. Stokes’ innings of 12 from 22 balls in just under half-an-hour ends with an ugly slog at the first ball he receives from Mitch Santner, and a tame catch at short third-man off an outside edge. Stokes holds a straightforward catch at cover off Chris Woakes as Martin Guptill’s wicket leaves New Zealand 27-3. Into the attack, he works up to 88mph in his first over...and Eoin Morgan immediately takes out slip. After a useful four-over spell, including plenty of skilled pace variations, it is time for a breather. With the match tight but appearing to run away from England, Morgan summons his premier all-rounder again – but he drops too short as his fifth over goes for 11. Stokes is in the wickets, Tom Latham mistiming a shot to mid-on which ends a stand of 178 with Ross Taylor. He is not satisfied yet, and doubles up with a slower ball to have Colin de Grandhomme edging behind. A tired eighth over costs 11, for figures of 2-43, and Morgan wisely winds up Stokes’ promising comeback.