Ben Stokes, the captain of England, continues to be passed over for selection for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL a little over a month before the start of the Ashes. Because bowling is a little bit of a struggle for Stokes.
The first Test between England and Australia is scheduled on June 16 at Edgbaston, and Stokes has indicated his wish to play the fourth seamer during that series because of a persistent knee problem that has restricted his bowling activity recently.
In the first two games of CSK’s season, Stokes, who cost INR 16.25 crore to join in December’s auction, made 7 and 8 while giving up 18 runs in his sole over with the ball.
As previously stated, Stokes will give himself sufficient time to get back and play at Lord’s on 1st June in England’s Test against Ireland, a match that is primarily being viewed as Ashes preparation. Stokes will return to the UK after their final group game against Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon.
Stokes has been out since April 3 due to a series of injuries, including a toe problem and a minor setback that Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming declined to discuss.
Stokes has once more been available for selection during the last week, but CSK decided to utilise Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Matheesha Pathirana, and Maheesh Theekshana as their four foreign players in place of Stokes.
And following CSK’s home loss to KKR on Sunday evening, Fleming disclosed that Stokes is being considered as batting cover and that the team is unlikely to make any changes before their final group game.
Further, Fleming said that they are travelling to Delhi next, which has been supporting spinners, and with Moeen Ali bowling well in favourable circumstances, they believe the balance of CSK’s team composition has been appropriate.
