England's Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes
Credit: Reuters Photo
Birmingham: One of the star performers in the exhilarating Leeds Test was England skipper Ben Stokes. Probably the best all-rounder in the world currently, Stokes, returning to full force bowling following a left hamstring injury that forced him to go under the knife, stamped his class with a 4/66 effort in the first innings and 1/47 in the second. More than the wickets, it was the number of overs — 35 — that was comforting for England.
Chris Woakes, addressing the media on Monday, said it’s always great to see an injury-free Stokes go full tilt with the ball. “He was incredible. Without him having played a load of cricket leading into the Test match, for him to come in and do what he did and hit straps at a good pace. He's obviously fit and lean at the minute, looking really strong, which is great for us.
“Obviously we want him to play every Test match that we play, but also obviously we want him to be that seamer that can bowl his overs and do what we know he can do, which he did last week. I thought he was amazing on a good pitch. He looked threatening every time he had the ball, the newer ball or the older ball. We all know what Stokes is capable of, but it's great to have your leader being able to grab the ball like that and kind of showing you the way sometimes,” Woakes said.
The 36-year-old Woakes, following the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, is the leader of an inexperienced pace attack. The local lad said he’s happy to pass on the knowledge to his younger colleagues Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue. “I mean, I'm enjoying it (being the leader of the attack). Obviously, as I said in a previous presser not that long ago, I've played a lot of my England games with Jimmy and Brodie, so it is different obviously not having them around. But also it's a great opportunity for myself.
“I've enjoyed that role so far and it's good to pass on a little bit of knowledge to some younger guys that haven't played as much Test cricket. And also I'm learning from them. You're always on that journey of learning every time you go out there. So I'm thoroughly enjoying it and I just want to contribute to the team as we did in Headingley and hopefully there's more of that to come.”
Archer misses training
England fast bowler Jofra Archer, who returned to the Test team following a four-year absence, was released from the squad on Monday due to a family emergency but is scheduled to return within a day.
“England men’s fast bowler Jofra Archer will not be joining the England Test squad for today’s training session at Edgbaston, Monday 30 June, due to a family emergency,” said a statement from ECB media manager. “He is expected to rejoin the squad tomorrow, Tuesday, ahead of the Rothesay second Test at Edgbaston, which begins on Wednesday against India.”
Rumours had been circulating that Archer could be released to play the last two days of the County Championship game between Sussex and Warwickshire but ECB dispelled them. “England Men are unchanged for the Rothesay second Test against India starting on Wednesday at Edgbaston. We are not expecting to release any players for the current round of the County Championship.”