England Test captain Ben Stokes continues to be unable to bowl and is just “batting cover”, his coach at IPL facet Chennai Super Kings says, in a contemporary damage scare weeks earlier than the Ashes.
Stokes has performed solely two matches after being purchased by Chennai for $1.96 million firstly of this season in early April, earlier than being benched with a toe damage.
The 31-year-old all-rounder was troubled by his left knee earlier than the IPL.
On April 21, Chennai coach Stephen Fleming mentioned that Stokes had suffered “another little setback”, with out giving particulars.
On Sunday Fleming mentioned that Stokes was nonetheless unable to bowl and experiences counsel the participant will return to Britain after Chennai’s closing group recreation on the weekend, regardless that the group appears set for the following spherical.
“Ben’s ability to bowl overs at the moment is still a bit of a challenge, but he’s there as that batting cover,” Fleming mentioned.
“But with Moeen (Ali) bowling well in good conditions — we go to Delhi (next), which has been turning — we think the balance of the side has been right.”
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The former New Zealand captain added: “And look, we’re second on the table, so it’s not our style to chop and change just because we’ve had a loss where things didn’t go our way.”
It is the newest blow to England’s Ashes plans after quick bowler Jofra Archer pulled out of the IPL with an damage final week.
There are additionally considerations over James Anderson.
England hosts Ireland for a one-off Test beginning June 1 forward of the crunch Australia sequence, which begins in Birmingham on June 16.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com