Stokes fitness doubt in latest England Ashes scare
The HinduEngland Test captain Ben Stokes is still unable to bowl and is only “batting cover”, his coach at IPL side Chennai Super Kings says, in a fresh injury scare weeks before the Ashes. On April 21, Chennai coach Stephen Fleming said that Stokes had suffered “another little setback”, without giving details. On Sunday Fleming said that Stokes was still unable to bowl and reports suggest the player will return to Britain after Chennai’s final group game at the weekend, even though the team looks set for the next round. “But with Moeen bowling well in good conditions -- we go to Delhi, which has been turning -- we think the balance of the side has been right.” The former New Zealand captain added: “And look, we’re second on the table, so it’s not our style to chop and change just because we’ve had a loss where things didn’t go our way.” It is the latest blow to England’s Ashes plans after fast bowler Jofra Archer pulled out of the IPL with an injury last week.