Nottingham, June 9: England captain Ben Stokes allayed concerns about his fitness after he was selected in an unchanged team for the second cricket test against New Zealand starting on Friday.
Stokes was seen holding his side and in conversation with the team doctor during a practice on Wednesday when he bowled only a few deliveries.
The allrounder was hampered by a side strain in the final two tests of the Ashes against Australia across December and January, while he missed most of 2021 while recovering from two finger operations, as well as because of mental health reasons.
Stokes, recently appointed as captain and looking to lead England to its first test series victory since January 2021, said he was simply “a bit stiff” and agreed with an assessment it was just wear and tear.
He said he had no hesitation keeping faith with the same group of players once spinner Jack Leach was passed fit to play after going through concussion protocols following a head injury in the first test at Lord’s.
Leach suffered concussion symptoms following a heavy fall in the outfield on day one and was replaced by Matt Parkinson for the rest of the match.
New Zealand has yet to name its team but will be without allrounder Colin de Grandhomme, who has been ruled out of the series because of a tear in his right heel sustained in the first test. (AP)
