Ben Stokes, the captain of the England Test team, was pleased with their recent training camp in Loughborough and called it a great period of preparation before a historic one-off Test match against Zimbabwe. Even though they haven’t played in a red-ball encounter since December, he said the players are ready and confident to take on the challenge as England starts a hectic season.
From May 22 to 25, England will play Zimbabwe in a one-time, four-day Test match at Nottingham. The English summer has begun, and on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, a five-match Test series against India will commence. The atmosphere in the camp was buzzing on the eve of the Test, and Stokes expressed his excitement about getting back on the pitch.
Yes, it’s exciting to be back here, undoubtedly on the eve of our first day. We’ve been together for a while, and after a fantastic training camp in Loughborough and our build-up days here, we’re eager to get started. You can understand why the boys are chomping at the bit because the last game was in December. However, Ben Stokes acknowledged that everything had gone quite well.
I’m in fairly good shape: Ben Stokes
The all-rounder acknowledged that the recuperation period had been taxing and that he is feeling fit. He praised the medical staff of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for helping him get better. Stokes said he was eager to get back into action and take the team’s helm once more.
Yes, I believe I’ve always been rather fit overall. Perhaps a little [up and down] like that. However, I made it clear to the men who were supporting me—the ECB medical team—that I wanted to return, even if there are definitely things you need to do during this recuperation phase. Anyone who has had a lengthy period of rehabilitation will know what it can occasionally be like. However, Ben Stokes continued, “I’m really eager to return to the pitch and lead the team.”
The left-handed hitter made it clear that Zimbabwe will not be underestimated by England. He pointed out that while the majority of their opponents will be well-known, there is an element of surprise because this will be their first Test match against Zimbabwe since 2003.
Oh, that’s quite serious. We have discussed our goals as a team extensively over the past few weeks, you know. We’re not taking them lightly at all, Zimbabwe, you know. He said, “Obviously, we have never played Zimbabwe in a test match, but when we face them, we generally know a lot about the opposition.”
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