‘I ain’t holding back’- England skipper Ben Stokes opens up on fitness issues and cricketing future

‘ I ain’t holding back’- England skipper Ben Stokes opens up on fitness issues and cricketing future.(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The England team’s tour to New Zealand ended with the Englishmen achieving another Test Series victory under Ben Stokes. Despite the poor performance in the third Test at Hamilton, the England team still took the series 2-1 with Harry Brook being adjudged as the player of the series for his incredible performance.

Stokes has managed to win the series against the BlackCaps, but will still be disappointed after finishing the three-match series with a huge loss. The hosts won the match by 423 runs, which is the joint-third-biggest margin of defeats in Test matches in terms of runs.

The other big blow England faced was when their captain Ben Stokes had to go off the field due to injury and could not come in to bat in the second innings. There are a lot of questions going on about his fitness and future in the game due to his struggles with injuries. However, Stokes has given a positive response surrounding this issue.

“I worked really hard to get myself into position to play the role that I did this game, and it’s just one of those unfortunate things. But nah, I ain’t holding back,” Stokes said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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Worked my arse off: Stokes

Though statement from the English all-rounder may come as strong, he could also not hold back the disappointment of walking off the field during the match and not being able to come back to bat and save the match for his team.

“Every time you walk out to the field as an athlete, you’re putting yourself at risk of getting injury. Whether you feel great or you don’t feel great. I worked my arse off to get to where I was in this game in, particularly with my body. It’s just sod’s law – the first time in a while I feel like I’m young again, something happens. Obviously, [I was] incredibly disappointed walking off yesterday, very emotional about the whole thing,” he added.

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