 "I guess the one person that you want in your team when the pressure is on is Ben Stokes,' said assistant coach Paul Collingwood. "We all know what he's capable of, and not just match-winning innings, but match-winning innings under serious amounts of pressure. 'I know that if it comes down to the crunch that you want a man like Ben Stokes walking out. Not just what he gives with the bat, the options with the ball, and t){kind=link}
England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has been wrapped in cotton wool since the shock loss to Ireland, but has been declared fully fit and ready for the vital group fixture
When it comes to crunch matches against New Zealand, there is only one man who England and their fans will always put total faith in⦠Ben Stokes.
The talisman all rounder has shown that he is made for situations like this, and even though he hasn’t produced his best with the bat yet this winter, and although he hasn’t trained since Thursday, the expectation remains high.
While his team-mates were busy putting the finishing touches to their preparations in the nets at the nearby Allan Border field, Stokes made a delayed entrance to the ground and then only to perambulate around the boundary edge in conversation with the team doctor.
Stokes has been carrying a left knee problem for more than a year, that comes and goes according to the 32-year-old, sometimes âlocking up’ when he bowls. He often looks in agony, only to return to his mark and come charging in once more to help his team in any way he can.