Multan: In anticipation of the second Test against Pakistan at Multan, England's captain, Ben Stokes, who is returning to the team following an injury, expressed confidence in his ability to contribute significantly with his bowling skills, should the need arise.
England is aiming to further solidify its position in the ICC World Test Championship standings as it faces Pakistan in the second of a three-match series at Multan. The first match in Multan saw Pakistan suffer a devastating defeat by an innings and 47 runs. Stokes, who has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during the Hundred tournament in the UK, will be returning to the team as a full-fledged all-rounder.
Stokes has been managing his bowling workload since undergoing knee surgery last year, during which he played the World Cup and matches leading up to it as a specialist batter due to knee issues.
He made his debut bowling in the fifth and final Test against India in March at Dharamshala, bowling five overs. During the Test series against the West Indies in July, Stokes significantly increased his bowling workload, often bowling 10 overs in an innings. He achieved a notable milestone by taking five wickets in the series.
In the first Test, England became the first team to ever secure a first innings lead of over 200 runs after conceding over 550 runs. Conversely, Pakistan became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs, a feat attributed to England's 823/7d, the fourth-highest Test innings total in history and the highest in the 21st century.
In a pre-match press conference, Stokes discussed Pakistan's strategy of utilizing the old pitch from the first match, noting it was an unprecedented approach.
"I have never encountered a pitch that had been used in consecutive games before, nor have I seen such a large crowd of spectators. It's an interesting tactic, and I'm curious to see how it affects the spinners. Given the pitch conditions, it might offer more spin opportunities for the spinners, which could bring the seamers into the game. Ideally, we would bat first in the match," Stokes remarked.
The captain of England, Andrew Stokes, extended his congratulations to the interim captain, Ollie Pope, who has led the team to three victories in four Tests and secured a series win against Sri Lanka during Stokes' absence since August, due to a hamstring injury. Stokes expressed his belief that Pope's early experience as a captain and his role as a top-order batsman would be immensely beneficial for his long-term development.
"For a young player who has already amassed considerable experience, the opportunity to serve as both a top-order batsman and captain will be incredibly advantageous. I believe Pope has performed admirably, with a winning percentage that surpasses my own. His record of winning three out of four Tests is a testament to his exceptional performance and should be a source of great pride for him, especially during my absence," Stokes remarked.
In preparation for the upcoming match, England has selected two full-time spinners, with Jack Leach partnering Shoaib Bashir in the spin duo. Joe Root will provide support with his part-time spin skills, with the expectation that the playing conditions, favoring spinners, will be favorable. Stokes committed to managing his bowling workload with caution and noted that playing on a worn wicket made his decision to return to the team easier.
"The decision to return to the team was made somewhat easier by the conditions of the pitch. I am ready to bowl whenever the opportunity arises, and I am confident in my ability to make a significant impact. The conditions seem to be more conducive to spin, which further supports my decision to return," Stokes stated.
He also commended the entire team for their collective spirit and the emphasis on team over individual performance, a core principle of the 'Bazball' approach to cricket, which he and head coach Brendon McCullum have championed in Test matches.
"In the midst of the game, there are certain aspects that remain out of view due to the focus on the team's objectives. However, from the sidelines, one can truly appreciate the dedication and commitment of the players to the finer details that are constantly encouraged by me and Baz (McCullum)," Stokes reflected.
"In the pursuit of victory, every action, no matter how minor, contributes significantly to the overall outcome. The moment a bowler delivers a ball in this intense heat, and the subsequent chase to prevent a boundary, especially when it involves a dive, is not always successful. However, it is the collective spirit that emerges from such moments that truly stands out, particularly when one is tasked with conveying this unity."
"Observing the game unfold, one can discern the impact of the dialogue. The effectiveness of the strategy is palpable, resonating deeply with the team. There exists no individual more important than the collective, a principle that has been reinforced by the performance of the team on the field. The 11 players out there exemplify this unity, embodying the essence of the team spirit."
The outcome of the first Test elevated England to the fourth position on the World Test Championship table, preserving their hopes of securing a place in the Final. Conversely, Pakistan was relegated to the bottom of the standings, facing a potential points percentage of merely 16.67 percent.
England (Playing XI) for the second Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.
