'I Have Definitely Given Myself The Best Opportunity To Bowl This Summer' - Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes [Image-Twitter]

England Test skipper and premier all-rounder Ben Stokes is unfazed about his ability to bowl consistently in the upcoming summer. Stokes has been suffering from his left knee issue for some time now, limiting his ability to send down overs consistently.

His injury peaked during the Test series in New Zealand earlier this February, and in the recent season of the Indian Premier League, the Durham cricketer send down just one over while representing the Chennai Super Kings.

However, Stokes believes that with the amount of hard work, he has done during his time on the sidelines in the IPL, he is confident that he is returning to the 2019-2020 space when he was at the peak of his powers.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Test summer opener against Ireland, Stokes said:

"Yeah, look the knee is in a much better place than it was in Wellington. I've been over in India for the IPL and these last eight or nine weeks I know I have got myself in a position where I can't say I regret anything."

"I have got myself into a place where I feel like in a 2019, 2020 space in terms of my own body and fitness. I have definitely given myself the best opportunity (to bowl this summer). We know what it is (the problem) and now it is about managing it."

Stokes and co will look to get their home summer underway on a positive note when they take on Ireland in a one-off Test at Lord's from June 01.

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