England’s hopes are high as they envision the return of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer to their squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
In a surprising turn of events, Ben Stokes, who retired from One Day Internationals in July 2022, might be reconsidering his stance. Despite reaffirming his retirement plans after the Ashes, Stokes’ potential return has sparked discussions. A knee injury sustained during his time in New Zealand impacted his recent performances, but his prowess as a specialized batter has caught the attention of England’s white-ball coach, Matthew Mott. Stokes’ inclusion could bring a significant boost to the World Cup squad, and the team remains optimistic about his comeback.
According to Matthew Mott, “There has not been a clear direction on what he’s going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I’ve always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field. He’s done it for years when it comes to performing in one-day cricket and so he’s an invaluable commodity.”
Jofra Archer, the hero of the 2019 World Cup Final, has faced challenges due to multiple injuries. However, there is positive news for England fans as Sussex coach Paul Farbrace suggests that Archer is on track for World Cup readiness. England is willing to take calculated risks to manage Archer’s fitness during the tournament.
Matthew Mott shared insights into Archer’s situation, stating, “There is a high chance that we will take a risk on a proven performer [like Archer] that has done it on the world stage. We are planning for him to be available. Obviously, a lot of things have to go his way and it will be a tight timeline but with players like that you are going to give them every opportunity to prove their fitness, and so we will keep an open mind.”
As England prepares for the World Cup, they are focusing on strategic player management. While Archer’s potential inclusion is being managed with care due to his injury history, the team acknowledges the importance of his ball speed on Indian pitches. The tournament is set to commence on October 5, with England facing New Zealand in a rematch of the 2019 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Stay updated on the latest developments as England strives to assemble a formidable squad for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
