England captain Ben Stokes dismissed any injury concerns and insisted he is “keen” to get going in the second Test against New Zealand after suffering a strain while bowling during the tourists’ win in the series opener. Were.
Stokes withdrew himself from the attack on the fourth and final morning in Christchurch, but remained on the field and said in the post-match presentation that he was just managing his body after turning his back while fielding.
The captain suffered a hamstring injury while batting in The Hundred this summer and subsequently missed the three-Test series at home against Sri Lanka as well as the first match of the three-Test series in Pakistan. Had found.
Stokes, who scored 80 runs at number seven against New Zealand, said this before the second match to be held in Wellington on Friday.,It’s been a tough week this week – spent a lot of time in the field, I bowled 20 overs and spent time batting as well as in the middle.
“I hurt my back diving for a ball, so it was more management than anything else. Given where we were in the game, I didn’t feel it was necessary to get more balls out.
“I think I’ll be in good shape for this walk and I’m looking forward to getting to Wellington.”
Stokes: Brook is going from strength to strength
Stokes’ innings, during which opposition captain Tim Southee dismissed him for 30, was his highest Test score since the 2023 Ashes and he looked more fluent than he averaged 13.25 in Pakistan in October.
Harry Brook scored 171 runs in the series opener after being dismissed five times.
The captain added 159 runs with Harry Brook (171) for England’s sixth wicket at Hagley Oval – who was dismissed five times by New Zealand – before adding Gus Atkinson (48 off 36) and Brydon Carse (33 off 24) Runs) added 63 and 40 runs respectively. As the tourists went from 71-4 to 499 all out in their first innings.
Stokes said: “It was good. With Gus and Carsey coming in and batting like that, I was giving them strike and thinking ‘I should play that role!’
“We found ourselves in a difficult position and I tried to build a partnership with Brookie to make sure we could reach a good score.
About Brook, who became the second-fastest Englishman to reach the milestone in 36 innings and score 2,000 Test runs at an average of more than 60 in his first 22 matches, Stokes said: “When the opposition bat left, right and You want to do that when you’re dropping catches at center.” Go ahead and score big.
Brook has scored seven centuries in his first 22 Test matches.
“Brooke is an incredible player, an incredible talent. It’s excellent to have someone of his caliber in our middle order.
“He is constantly trying to put pressure on the bowlers and is going from strength to strength.”
‘Cars is a workhorse’
Carse’s batting remained subdued, taking four wickets in the first innings and then six in the second innings, as he became the first England bowler to take 10 wickets on overseas soil since spinner Monty Panesar in 2012 and the first since Ryan Sidebottom in New Zealand 16. Became a fast bowler first. years ago.
“I also thought our bowlers were very relentless, so it was a very good start,” Stokes said.
“I grew up with Brayden [Carse] during our Durham days and knew his ability and talent, so it’s amazing to see him making such an impact.
“He’s a hard-working guy and whether the odds are in his favor or not, he’ll work all day.”
Player of the match Carse, who now has 19 wickets in three Tests, said: “The Pakistan surfaces were obviously very different to this one. There’s a lot more bounce and bounce which is more suited to my bowling style.”
“I am very happy with my individual performance and very proud of the result. It is very satisfying to be able to win as a team.”
“Throughout the game we were given different challenges, but we stuck to some plans and got our reward.”
