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 fixed before the summer.
"I hope the Ashes, I won't have to worry about it", a-t - he told BT Sport.
After winning 10 of 12 Tests since Stokes was named 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.
"It'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 the BBC Sport.
"I'm sure he'll be nice as soon as that happens."

Speaking to BT Sport, he added: "Stokesy's knee is just something we have to watch. He left for the IPL where his conditioning is a bit less stressed, so hopefully he'll be fine.
"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 31-year-old all-rounder appeared to confirm he would still play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League and suggested that his time in India could really improve his fitness.
"We have three, four months before an appointment with the ashes", he declared.
"We're working incredibly hard with our physios and doctors to But it's very di It's hard, especially here, to get these things in because once the tests start, they come quickly and well.
"It's a good opportunity in India now to get myself into 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 something is 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=".15g1q5xpw6q.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...

Sports Feb 28, 2023 0 17 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 Wellin gton

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 fixed before the summer.

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

After winning 10 of 12 Tests since Stokes was named 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.

"It'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 the BBC Sport.

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

Speaking to BT Sport, he added: "Stokesy's knee is just something we have to watch. He left for the IPL where his conditioning is a bit less stressed, so hopefully he'll be fine.

"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 31-year-old all-rounder appeared to confirm he would still play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League and suggested that his time in India could really improve his fitness.

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

"We're working incredibly hard with our physios and doctors to But it's very di It's hard, especially here, to get these things in because once the tests start, they come quickly and well.

"It's a good opportunity in India now to get myself into 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 something is 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=".15g1q5xpw6q.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...