NEW DELHI: England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, shared insights into his recent knee surgery, emphasizing that surgery is always the “last option” and can have varying outcomes, potentially even affecting careers.
Stokes, who underwent knee surgery at the end of November, expressed caution about the uncertainties associated with surgeries.
“Surgery is always the last option. Surgeries can go very well, but they can also sometimes not go too well and set people back even further, and potentially even end careers,” Stokes remarked ahead of the much-anticipated five-match Test series against India.
Stokes elaborated on the recovery process, highlighting that less weight on the knees facilitates quicker recuperation.
“Because obviously, the less weight you’re carrying, the less weight you’ve got going through your knee and, actually, the quicker your recovery is,” he added.
England’s coach, Brendon McCullum, praised Stokes’s fitness, likening him to a “greyhound” and commending his exceptional work ethic. McCullum expressed confidence in Stokes leading the Three Lions in the upcoming Test series in India, describing him as “stripping fit.”
Stokes underwent surgery on his left knee immediately following the ODI World Cup, aiming to recover in time for the Test series against India.
The five-match Test series is scheduled to commence on January 25 in Hyderabad, followed by matches in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala. The series promises to be a keenly watched contest between the two cricketing powerhouses.
England Test squad for India series: Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (Wk), Dan Lawrence, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.
(With inputs from ANI)