Ben Stokes 'determined to lead England to Ashes glory' despite knee injury - Brendon McCullum

The captain managed just two overs and struggled while batting in the fourth inning of a thrilling second Test loss to New Zealand in Wellington.
Stokes admitted it was "very frustrating" but hopes the issue will be resolved before the summer .
"I hope the Ashes, I won't have to worry about it", said he told BT Sport.
After winning 10 of 12 tests since Stokes was appointed captain, England are targeting a first Ashes Series win since 2015 this summer and have three and a half months to ensure the skipper is fully fit.
"He's not going very well at the moment but the skipper is writing his own scripts and he doesn't get a better stage to write one than the Ashes," McCullum told BBC Sport.
"I'm sure he'll be nice as soon as this happens."
"He's a badass. He'll find a way out of this and I know he's also determined to lead this team to Ashen glory. We're looking forward to him."
Despite continued concerns over his left knee, the versatile 31-year-old appeared to confirm he would still play for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League and suggested that his time in India could really improve his physical condition.
"We have three, four months before an appointment with the ashes", he declared.
"We work incredibly hard with our physios and doctors to get everything we need. i relate to the force around him. But it's very hard, here in particular, to get these things in because once the Te sts start they come thick and fast.
"It's a good opportunity in India now to put myself in a position where I don't have to worry about my knee anymore.
"I'm not going to lie - it's very frustrating to know that I have something holding me back in my body. But I will do everything I can to allow myself to fulfill this role of fourth seaman as I was able to do two or three years ago. " data-reactid=".53oaa3u3te.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17">June
1- 4 Only test against Ireland, Lord's (11:00)
16-20 1st test against Australia, Edgbaston (11:00 a.m.)
July 28-2 2nd Test vs. Australia, Lord's (11:00 a.m.)
July
6-10 3rd Test v Australia, Headingley (11:00 a.m.)
19-23 4th Test v Australia, Old Trafford (11:00 a.m.)
27-31 5th Test v Australia, The Oval (11:00 a.m.)

Sports Feb 28, 2023 0 48 Add to Reading List

Ben Stokes 'determined to lead England to Ashes glory' despite knee injury - Brendon McCullum

England captain Ben Stokes plays in the second Test against New Zealand in Welling your

The captain managed just two overs and struggled while batting in the fourth inning of a thrilling second Test loss to New Zealand in Wellington.

Stokes admitted it was "very frustrating" but hopes the issue will be resolved before the summer .

"I hope the Ashes, I won't have to worry about it", said he told BT Sport.

After winning 10 of 12 tests since Stokes was appointed captain, England are targeting a first Ashes Series win since 2015 this summer and have three and a half months to ensure the skipper is fully fit.

"He's not going very well at the moment but the skipper is writing his own scripts and he doesn't get a better stage to write one than the Ashes," McCullum told BBC Sport.

"I'm sure he'll be nice as soon as this happens."

"He's a badass. He'll find a way out of this and I know he's also determined to lead this team to Ashen glory. We're looking forward to him."

Despite continued concerns over his left knee, the versatile 31-year-old appeared to confirm he would still play for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League and suggested that his time in India could really improve his physical condition.

"We have three, four months before an appointment with the ashes", he declared.

"We work incredibly hard with our physios and doctors to get everything we need. i relate to the force around him. But it's very hard, here in particular, to get these things in because once the Te sts start they come thick and fast.

"It's a good opportunity in India now to put myself in a position where I don't have to worry about my knee anymore.

"I'm not going to lie - it's very frustrating to know that I have something holding me back in my body. But I will do everything I can to allow myself to fulfill this role of fourth seaman as I was able to do two or three years ago. " data-reactid=".53oaa3u3te.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17">June

1- 4 Only test against Ireland, Lord's (11:00)

16-20 1st test against Australia, Edgbaston (11:00 a.m.)

July 28-2 2nd Test vs. Australia, Lord's (11:00 a.m.)

July

6-10 3rd Test v Australia, Headingley (11:00 a.m.)

19-23 4th Test v Australia, Old Trafford (11:00 a.m.)

27-31 5th Test v Australia, The Oval (11:00 a.m.)