Published: Dec 13, 2015, 11:44 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 13, 2015, 11:44 AM (IST)
Ben Stokes was seen bowling at nets on Sunday which is indeed good news for England prior to their upcoming massive away Test series against South Africa. Stokes who had sustained a shoulder injury during their 2-match Test series against Pakistan last month at Sharjah seems to continuing rehabilitation with positive results. His absence was surely felt following Pakistan thrashing the visitors 2-0 in the 3-match Test series. However, England coach Trevor Bayliss is being optimistic about Stokes’ fitness as he said the two warm-up matches before the Boxing Day Test will be enough to get the all-rounder back on track. READ: Alastair Cook expects strong competition for places win England tour of South Africa
According to ESPNCricinfo, Bayliss suggested,” I’m pretty confident he will be fine. He is not as guy who complains too much. He has been bowling now for a few weeks so we just have to get a few overs out of him in competition and a few hours with his batting.”
Meanwhile, the English coach has different plans for their pacer Steven Finn who is recovering from a foot injury. Even he had injured himself during England’s tour of UAE six weeks back. “We are preparing for this tour by planning without him. If he proves his fitness in the UAE and we do decide to bring him out here that will be an absolute bonus. There are one or two small hurdles but if he can get through and be bowling well I would expect to see him here at some stage, “he said. READ: AB de Villiers to keep wickets in Tests against England
He even admitted that the English side is prepared for the huge challenge ahead of them as they know they are going to play the best side at home. Despite the poor results of the hosts in India where they faced a humiliating 3-0 loss in the 4-match Test series against Virat Kohli’s men, Bayliss said, “To win away from home is very difficult. We are under no illusions it will be a difficult tour.”
