‘Good job we’re going to Abu Dhabi’ – Ben Stokes responds to Steve Harmison’s ‘England deserve to get beaten 5-0 by India’ remark

Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

The England red-ball team has captivated the cricket fraternity after adopting an ultra-aggressive approach termed ‘Bazball’ since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over as the coach and captain, respectively. The English players and their all-or-nothing playing style have a tough challenge in store in early 2024 as they embark on a tour to India to play five Test matches.

Former England pacer Steve Harmison recently lambasted the team for their lack of planning and expressed his concerns regarding Stokes and Co. going to India underprepared.

“If England go in three days before, they deserve to get beat 5-0, they really do. I’m an old man. And that’s what they’re going to say: ‘Times have changed, the game has changed.’ But I tell you what, preparation hasn’t changed,” Harmison said in a recent interview with TalkSport.

“You cannot go into India underprepared. [In fact], you cannot go into India over-prepared. You could be in India six weeks before and still not be prepared for that first Test and the emotion of that. To be honest, I love this new approach. I love Ben Stokes, the Brendon McCullum approach, obviously Rob Key, and everything that they have done, ECB have done. But I’m sorry, going in three days before [the India series]. You would never do that for an Ashes Test series,” the 45-year-old added.

‘Good job we’re going to Abu Dhabi for a training camp’ – Ben Stokes hits back with sarcasm

Harmison’s concerns stem from the fact that England are set to arrive in India on January 21, four days before the commencement of the first Test on January 25 in Hyderabad. They will not be playing any practice match in India. However, Stokes reminded Harmison that England will travel to Abu Dhabi for a preparatory camp before the India series.

“Good job we’re going to Abu Dhabi for a training camp before we go to India for even more training before that 1st test then isn’t it,” the star all-rounder said while replying to a post by TalkSPORT Cricket’s ‘X’ handle.

England are the last team that won a Test series on Indian soil. They achieved the feat in 2012. However, their subsequent trips in 2016 and 2021 haven’t been as memorable.