England captain Ben Stokes faces fresh injury concerns after a challenging third day of the third Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval (Friday, December 19). Former England cricketer Isa Guha said that Stokes did not bowl, left the field and was seen checking his right groin during the game.
Stokes resumed the England innings with Jofra Archer. The pair added 106 runs for the ninth wicket, one of England’s best partnerships of the series and helped keep the innings steady. Stokes, who scored 83 runs, was dismissed by Mitchell Starc. The England team was out and then had to take the field with a deficit of 85 runs.
Ben Stokes was seen checking his right waist – Isa Guha
It was expected that Ben Stokes would prove to be important for England with the ball in the second innings. England needed him to put pressure on Australia and help keep the game alive.
However, despite England bowling 66 overs, Stokes did not bowl. He also looked uncomfortable while fielding at the end of the day. Isa Guha said that Stokes suffered a minor injury. He walked off the field briefly and was seen examining his right groin.
“It will not be fatigue. Given the state of the game, it is not at all possible that it will be fatigue,” Guha said.
He said, “I heard that he has only spent 90 minutes away from the field of play. He is batting. Stokes is bowling. He is captaining, he has given his all in every Test match and in the end he has to pay the price for it.”
“There’s obviously a problem. There’s obviously a reason why he’s not bowling. He went off the field at one point and there was a look on his right groin at one point on the field. It’s not good news.”
Ben Stokes’ fitness growing concern for England
Ben Stokes already came into the Ashes with fitness concerns. He had shoulder surgery before the series and missed the final match against India in August. England has been dependent on him to a great extent. Stokes made a big impact with the ball in the first innings in Perth.
England’s baseball style has also created problems. They bat so fast that their bowlers get very little rest between innings.
Archer performed brilliantly in the first innings and took five wickets. However, on Friday he bowled fewer overs and was tight rather than dangerous. Stokes did not bowl at all. With another Test coming up in a week’s time, followed by a New Year’s match in Sydney, Stokes’ fitness is a major concern for England.
Ben Stokes couldn’t stand himself – Adam Gilchrist
Australian great Adam Gilchrist questioned whether Ben Stokes can continue to handle such an intense workload. He explained that Stokes is expected to assume leadership responsibilities as well as contribute with both bat and ball, which puts pressure on him.
“Ben Stokes, we all wonder how much weight can he lift?”. Gilchrist said.
“Captaincy. Tactics. Bat. Ball. Well, yesterday he didn’t have the ball on the field because he batted a lot of the time, he couldn’t stand himself. I don’t know whether it’s an injury or just fatigue.”
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