Cricket World Cup: Ben Stokes ready to return and rejuvenate England’s title defence against South Africa | Cricket-world-cup News

Ben Stokes sat crossed-legged near the boundary line, completing his media duties and talking up his fitness. For the next two hours, the England talisman walked the talk.
He playfully wrestled with a couple of teammates, sprinted across the outfield with extra purpose, returned to the dressing room for a quick thigh rub and a snack, and returned padded up, launching lusty blows in all directions.
The 32-year-old did everything but bowl. But as he trudged back to the pavilion, Stokes left no doubt that he was ready to make his first appearance in this World Cup when England take on South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

Forced out a hip injury, Stokes has spent the last fortnight on the sidelines watching helplessly as England succumbed to defeats in two of the three matches they’ve played so far.
The losses – against New Zealand and Afghanan, one of the upsets of the tournament – have threatened England’s title defence and they now have very little margin for error in their remaining six games.
If England lose to South Africa, who’d be hurting as well following an embarrassing defeat to the Netherlands, they will have to win all their remaining games to remain in contention for the semifinals.

England have enjoyed a couple of days off, with the players’ families joining them in Mumbai. They got down to business on Thursday, training for more than two hours under lights.
But the extent to which England are relying on Stokes, central to them winning the 2019 World Cup, to bring their faltering campaign back on track can be gauged from the fact that ever since they arrived in Mumbai, all the chatter has been about his availability.
Stokes, who came out of retirement just before the World Cup, has so far lent only off-field support to his teammates, carrying drinks and indulging in pep talks. England coach Matthew Mott said Stokes spoke to the squad after the shock loss to Afghanan in Delhi, underlining the message that the team needs to ‘move on’.

On Saturday, Stokes will be keen to play a more direct role in his team’s campaign. “I have worked very hard to get back to where I am and making myself ready to be available for selection,” he told the BBC.Most Read
1
India vs Bangladesh Live Score, World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli finishes with a six and a century as IND win fourth game in a row

2
Leo box office collection Day 1 early reports: Vijay’s film to record biggest Tamil film opening of 2023, brings in Rs 145 crore worldwide

See More

How England manage to make space for Stokes will be interesting to see, given Harry Brook’s current form. But Stokes didn’t seem too bothered about that, glad just to regain match fitness.
“(I will) give it a good push but I think everything is pretty good,” he told the British network. “I am in a good place.”
There was little doubt about that after the two hour net session.