London, Dec 5, : Former England captain Alastair cook believes that Ben Stokes, an all-rounder, will enjoy playing in Australia during the Ashes because of the speed and bounce of the pitch.Cook also acknowledged that his match readiness, both mentally and physically, is still unknown.Stokes is making a return to cricket after taking a break from the game for his mental health and healing from a left index finger fracture.He was a late addition of the Ashes touring team and is now in contention for the first Test at The Gabba, December 8.
“He should enjoy bowling and batting in Australia, because of the speed and bounce of the pitches.I doubt I would be able to see his weaknesses if I was in the Aussie team plotting his downfall.
He is like any left-hander and is prone to nicking off, so their fast bowlers should be around his off stump.Cook wrote that Nathan Lyon could be brought in to test him because he is a great bowler against left-handers.”
“The biggest mystery is how match-ready he is mentally and physically after so many years.I don’t know the details of the circumstances that led him to take an indefinite leave this summer.
But I do know how the good times, such as the attention that followed his match-winning performances at the World Cup final and Headingley, as well as the bad (his father’s passing away, the finger injuries) can catch up to you and be as mentally draining,” said Cook, who was part of the winning team for England in the 2010/11 Ashes in Australia.
Cook believes that Stokes has improved as a batter since his debut at the 2013/14 Ashes.Stokes scored 279 runs on that tour at an average of 34.87.He also scored 120 runs at Perth.”I told him that he is a batsman and, therefore I expect him to come up at No 5.He is a better batsman than he was eight-years ago, when he played in Australia.Ben Stokes was always looking to score, to take on the bowler and put pressure on the opposition.
He still has a competitive drive, but he has cultivated a greater match awareness.
The 36-year old commented that Stokes could be the fourth pace option for Ashes but also pointed out that he is an expert at bowling longer spells.He gave examples from past matches.”This is what Ben likes about himself as a bowler.He enjoys long spells and he gets better the more that he bowls.I think back to the ten runs he bowled in the Colombo Test in December 2018, which produced three wickets and put his side under control.
To the 15 overs that he bowled at Headingley in 2019, to stop Australia from getting out of reach after England had been bowled for 67.And to the spell he produced in Cape Town to close the Cape Town Test in January 2020.
He will likely play as the fourth seamer for this series, but England will eventually need him to produce similar spells in defensive and offensive situations.You can bet your Aussie dollars that he will enjoy the opportunity.He is not a lazy worker.Cook said that he was able to recall coming back from his first finger operation.
It was evident that he was uncomfortable trying to make the ball swing using a new conortion of his fingers.However, he went in without complaining and got good results.
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