The three-match Test series between Pakistan and England is set to begin on Monday. Regular skipper Ben Stokes isn’t part of the playing XI as Ollie Pope will continue to lead the side. The 33-year-old spoke to the media after the training on Saturday and revealed that he is yet to get fully match fit.
Ben Stokes said, “I tried my hardest to try and get myself fit for this first game but we've taken the call to miss this one. I've not quite managed to get game-ready”. The 33-year-old got injured during the Hundred games for the Chargers against Manchester Originals. Stokes last played for England in the home series against West Indies scoring 192 runs and picking 5 wickets.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse has been given his debut cap with left-arm spinner Jack Leach coming back into the team. Leach last played a Test match against India earlier this year before suffering an injury. Chris Woakes will play his first away Test in nearly 3 overs and his first Asian Test match in over 8 years.
Ben Stokes ‘pushing himself’ to get fit for 2nd Test
Further speaking to the media, Ben Stokes said “We got to a certain point, but just looking at the bigger picture around what we've got coming up and actually physically where I'm at with my rehab, I'm not quite ready to play."
When asked about his ideal return to the game, the England skipper said “I've pushed myself incredibly hard. I've worked really, really hard with the medical team to get to where I'm at now. I think I'm further ahead than what we expected today. Look, I'll be working just as hard over the next 10 days to try and give myself a chance to be fit”
The veteran English star also added “Whatever sports you play, you're going to get injuries. I'm 33 now, so I've put my body through quite a lot. I've started working incredibly hard over the last two years: I know that I'm getting older, so it's not through lack of effort. It's just one of those things where, with what we do, you're going to put yourself at risk every time you walk out on the field for injuries."
Joe Root praised Brydon Carse after he was given his Test cap. The right-arm pacer picked 8 wickets from 5 ODI matches against Australia. Carse is noted to bowl with good speed and unsettle the best of batters with his hostile bowling.
Speaking to the media Joe Root said “He's a natural wicket-taker. He's got those deliveries in him that, out of nowhere, on the flattest of wickets, you can make something happen… He offers a huge amount to the squad."
England XI for 1st Test vs Pakistan
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (Captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.
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