Stokes likely to play in fourth Test - Pope

Stokes has not bowled competitively since the second Ashes Test in July and underwent knee surgery in November .
The 32-year-old played in the net on Wednesday as England trailed 2-1 , is preparing for the fourth test on Friday.
"He will see how he does tomorrow", Pope told BBC Sport. "If he's not in too much pain, that's a positive sign."
Stokes was hampered by a left knee problem for some time and despite efforts to be fully fit for the Ashes, he did not play in the last three Tests, nor at all in the 50 over World Cup in the fall.
His operation in November involved the removal of a bone spur and stitches suture in his meniscus.
Stokes initially ruled himself out of bowling on this tour, claiming that he had made a "small promise" to the English physio.
But after the defeat of England in the third Test, the Durham man opened the door to being able to get the ball back in the last two Tests, saying he had been able to play "100%". in training.
On Wednesday, Stokes faced batters in the nets for the first time since his surgery , then had a long conversation with team doctor Glen Rae.
"He didn't want to Put too much pressure on himself early on saying he was going to bowl, so he bowled there day in and day out with the feeling in his knee," Pope said.
"I think he was impressed with how his knee was doing.
"He had a good game against our hitters. We know what it looks like, it has that competitive edge. There's every chance he plays, but he hasn't confirmed it yet."
If Stokes is able to play, it will provide a huge boost to England as they attempt to avoid a first series defeat under his captaincy.
Stokes is three wickets away from becoming only the third man in Test cricket - after Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers - to achieve the double of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets .
His availability as a bowler would help with the team's balance, with the Ranchi pitch suggesting England could return to three front-rowers in their XI.
Pace bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood are likely to miss out following their workload during the 434-run defeat in the third Test, so off-spinner Shoaib Bashir could be recalled to join leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and left-armer Tom Hartley.
Ollie Robinson could play for the first time since the third Ashes Test as a single seamer, supplemented by whatever Stokes is capable of bowling.
Pope described the Ranchi pitch as "interesting", with one side of the surface already cracked two days before the Test.
"It looks slightly different from one side of the wicket to the other," batter Pope said.
"The cracks in the wicket are not just cracks, there are separate pieces of ground that "They could open up with lots of sunlight on them. The ball could move further away from them if they open up like we hope."

Sports Feb 22, 2024 0 10 Add to Reading List

Stokes likely to play in fourth Test - Pope

Stokes has not bowled competitively since the second Ashes Test in July and underwent knee surgery in November .

The 32-year-old played in the net on Wednesday as England trailed 2-1 , is preparing for the fourth test on Friday.

"He will see how he does tomorrow", Pope told BBC Sport. "If he's not in too much pain, that's a positive sign."

Stokes was hampered by a left knee problem for some time and despite efforts to be fully fit for the Ashes, he did not play in the last three Tests, nor at all in the 50 over World Cup in the fall.

His operation in November involved the removal of a bone spur and stitches suture in his meniscus.

Stokes initially ruled himself out of bowling on this tour, claiming that he had made a "small promise" to the English physio.

But after the defeat of England in the third Test, the Durham man opened the door to being able to get the ball back in the last two Tests, saying he had been able to play "100%". in training.

On Wednesday, Stokes faced batters in the nets for the first time since his surgery , then had a long conversation with team doctor Glen Rae.

"He didn't want to Put too much pressure on himself early on saying he was going to bowl, so he bowled there day in and day out with the feeling in his knee," Pope said.

"I think he was impressed with how his knee was doing.

"He had a good game against our hitters. We know what it looks like, it has that competitive edge. There's every chance he plays, but he hasn't confirmed it yet."

If Stokes is able to play, it will provide a huge boost to England as they attempt to avoid a first series defeat under his captaincy.

Stokes is three wickets away from becoming only the third man in Test cricket - after Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers - to achieve the double of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets .

His availability as a bowler would help with the team's balance, with the Ranchi pitch suggesting England could return to three front-rowers in their XI.

Pace bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood are likely to miss out following their workload during the 434-run defeat in the third Test, so off-spinner Shoaib Bashir could be recalled to join leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and left-armer Tom Hartley.

Ollie Robinson could play for the first time since the third Ashes Test as a single seamer, supplemented by whatever Stokes is capable of bowling.

Pope described the Ranchi pitch as "interesting", with one side of the surface already cracked two days before the Test.

"It looks slightly different from one side of the wicket to the other," batter Pope said.

"The cracks in the wicket are not just cracks, there are separate pieces of ground that "They could open up with lots of sunlight on them. The ball could move further away from them if they open up like we hope."