Ben Stokes Confident in Fitness for Upcoming Second Test

England Captain Ben Stokes expressed certainty regarding his availability for the team’s second Test match against New Zealand, even after experiencing discomfort during his seventh over on day four in Christchurch as England secured a win in the opening game. England achieved an eight-wicket victory on day four in Christchurch; however, Stokes concluded his bowling performance prematurely, three deliveries into his fifth over that morning. The 33-year-old disclosed that he sustained a back injury while attempting a diving catch on the first day. “Wear and tear is probably the best way to describe it,” Stokes stated on the Test Match Special podcast. “I didn’t want to do any more damage than I already felt in my body. I’ll be fine for Wellington.” The second game of the three-match series is scheduled to commence on Friday (22:00 GMT, Thursday). Stokes was absent for four Tests due to a hamstring injury incurred in August. He made his return for the second Test in Pakistan in October, but his performance was inconsistent. The all-rounder had participated as a bowler during the domestic summer, following a period of being impeded for the majority of the preceding year by a left knee issue, which necessitated surgery in November 2023. During the match in Christchurch, Stokes delivered 19.3 overs, marking his highest bowling volume in a Test in two years, and his score of 80 runs with the bat represented his best performance since the most recent Ashes series. “I’m good,” Stokes commented. “It’s been a pretty big week.”I know the skill I have as a player. I go out there and try to deliver every single time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”I’m really happy with how we’ve gone about it this week. Everyone had a smile on their face, including me, so that was good.”The body is going to be good for this outing and ready to go in Wellington.” The visiting team drew inspiration from Stokes’ Durham colleague, Brydon Carse, whose figures of 10-106 marked the initial instance of an England seamer achieving a 10-wicket haul in an overseas Test since 2008. Earlier in the year, Carse was handed a three-month suspension for past betting infractions and sought guidance from Stokes. When questioned about the assistance he obtained, Carse responded: “Amazing. Over the past four or five months he’s been there, in person or over the phone. I cannot thank him enough.” Stokes commented: “He knows how much value I have in him as a player. I guess it might make him run in a little bit harder every now and again when it’s me asking him to bowl an extra over.”For him to be where he is now, considering where he was six months ago, is testament to his character.”You can see why we think of him so highly, that he can go through something like that then be here walking off with 10 wickets in a Test match.” Following Carse’s wicket-taking performance, which set England a target of 104 runs, 21-year-old debutant Jacob Bethell rapidly scored his first half-century off 37 deliveries, securing the decisive runs. Bethell occupied the number three batting position in this game, a first in his first-class career. He scored 10 runs in the first innings, yet appeared comfortable facing the high-calibre New Zealand bowlers. Stokes remarked: “The second-innings knock was pretty special to watch.”He didn’t get the runs he would have liked in that first innings, but the way in which he held himself throughout that whole knock… If he sticks to that attitude he will go a long way.” Bethell filled the spot typically held by Ollie Pope at number three, with Pope moving down to number six to assume wicket-keeping duties following an injury to Jordan Cox. Pope contributed 77 runs and performed competently behind the stumps. Ollie Robinson from Durham has been added to the England squad, providing an additional wicket-keeping choice. When questioned about whether Pope would continue as wicket-keeper for the rest of the series, Stokes stated: “We found ourselves with a problem and we solved it.”That was the make-up of the team for this game and we’ll see in Wellington.”