England captain Ben Stokes says he is willing to put his injury-hit body on the line once more if it means helping his side clinch a Test series victory over India.
The all-rounder played a starring role in England’s thrilling 22-run win in the third Test at Lord’s, contributing five wickets, 77 runs, and a run-out of Rishabh Pant across two fiercely contested innings.
Victory at Lord’s handed England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with Stokes bowling a punishing 44 overs, including extended spells on a tense final day.
“I’m not going to lie, I cannot wait to just lie on my bed for four days,” said the visibly drained 34-year-old after the match.
Despite battling two hamstring injuries in the past year, Stokes confirmed he is feeling rested and ready ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
“I felt like I was in a long-distance relationship with my family because I hardly saw them—despite being at home,” he joked. “If the situation requires it again, then I’ll do what I need to do.”
A Series Drawing Historic Parallels
The gripping level of competition between England and India has drawn comparisons with the 2005 Ashes series, often considered a golden era of Test cricket.
“So far, the series has been great to play in, and I presume it’s been pretty good to watch,” said Stokes.
“The 2005 Ashes was great to watch, and I think we’ve gone all five days in all three tests so far. It just proves that the quality of cricket has been outstanding.
Two teams going toe-to-toe, and not very much separating us—it’s been good to be a part of.”
Dawson Back After Eight Years
The fourth Test will see the return of Liam Dawson, marking his first Test appearance in eight years. The left-arm spinner was recalled following Shoaib Bashir’s series-ending finger injury at Lord’s.
Dawson, who had once admitted that Test cricket was “completely off the radar,” made a T20 international comeback against the West Indies in June and is now set for just his fourth Test cap.
“I’ve known Daws for a long time,” said Stokes. “I know the cricketer he is, but what does go under the radar is his competitiveness.”
“He showed he can come back in and get to work straight away,” Stokes added, referring to Dawson’s seamless return to England’s white-ball side.
As England prepares for a potentially series-deciding showdown in Manchester, Stokes’s grit, Dawson’s comeback, and the intensity of both teams ensure that the Old Trafford Test promises yet another chapter in a remarkable series.
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