Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes the team must remain positive despite the absence of captain Ben Stokes for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Ben Stokes has been ruled out for the remainder of the English summer due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing in The Hundred. Meanwhile, the first Test match between England and Sri Lanka will commence on August 21st at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
Stokes injury forces England to reassess before Test series against Sri Lanka
The injury occurred on Sunday when Stokes was forced to retire hurt during a match for the Northern Superchargers. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) subsequently confirmed that the all-rounder would miss the rest of the season. With Ollie Pope set to captain the side in Stokes' absence, Broad has urged the team to find opportunities within the challenge.
Stuart Broad wants England team to count on positives despite Stokes' injury
“It’s a real shame for the Test-match team because he looked so fit. He’s worked so hard on his fitness. But to use that old sporting saying of ‘take the positives’, it actually gives England the chance to play against Sri Lanka with a make-up of team without Ben Stokes, that they are going to have to trial at some stage," Broad told PA News Agency.
“Stokesy hasn’t been able to bowl for a year-and-a-half but has been playing as a batter. What happens the night before Brisbane in 18 months’ time if Stokesy’s not very well? It’s important for (replacement captain) Ollie Pope to get some experience and see what a team looks like without Ben Stokes – not that any of us would want that particularly, but you’ve got to find the positives in that and Stokesy will still be around," Broad added.
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Stuart Broad shared a humorous anecdote about a conversation with Ben Stokes. The injured England captain jokingly suggested he would take on a coaching role for the team during the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
“He’s already texted me saying he’s going to be the coach so I don’t know what Baz (Brendon McCullum) is going to be doing,” Broad concluded.
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