Ben Stokes: England may have to manage bowling workload, says Marcus Trescothick
He once again showed full fitness in New Zealand and his 66.1 runs in this series were his most as captain. On the first day of the third Test in Hamilton, his 23 deliveries were the most he bowled in a single day.
“It’s always challenging when it’s in the same area as before,” former England opener Trescothick told BBC Sport.
“Is it the same injury? We don’t know. We won’t know until we get the scan results.”
While Stokes was bowling his third over on day three, he felt a hamstring injury and left the field immediately. Unlike the problem in the Hundred, when Stokes was helped off at Old Trafford, he was able to leave under his own power.
He did not feature in the remainder of New Zealand’s second innings as the home team posted 453 runs, allowing England to win by 658 runs. By the close, the visitors’ record dropped to 18-2.
After the game, Stokes limped out of the England dressing room with a tied hamstring.
“He was naturally frustrated,” Trescothick said. “It’s calmed down a bit now. He’s doing a lot of ice and seeing doctors and physios. He’ll get advice and then hopefully that will inform his decision.”
Stokes was due to play the SA T20s for MI Cape Town in January, but it now appears there are serious doubts over his performance. Stokes’ slim chances of being selected for the England squad for the Champions Trophy also appear to be over.
England’s next Test doesn’t start until May, when they face Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in a one-off four-day affair.
