| Venue: Rajkot Dates:15-19 February Time: 04:00 GMT |
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Captain Ben Stokes says his a centesimal cap is “only a quantity” as he prepares to change into the sixteenth man to achieve a century of Checks for England.
Stokes, 32, will attain the milestone when he leads England within the third Take a look at in opposition to India in Rajkot on Thursday.
“Each Take a look at is simply as vital as the subsequent one,” stated Stokes. “Then there’s the subsequent one, which can be 101 – it is only one extra.
“It is a signal of longevity, however 99, 100 or 101 does not make a lot distinction.”
All-rounder Stokes made his Take a look at debut in opposition to Australia in Adelaide in 2013.
He has gone on to have probably the most storied and profitable careers in English cricketing historical past.
“It is only a quantity,” stated the Durham man. “I do not need it to sound like I am not grateful for the alternatives I’ve had, however with milestones, it isn’t accomplished till it is accomplished.”
Stokes introduced his arrival in Take a look at cricket with a century in solely in opposition to his second match, in opposition to an Australia assault spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson on a spiteful pitch in Perth.
Different highlights embrace an all-round efficiency to assist defeat New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015 and an astonishing 258 from 198 balls in opposition to South Africa in Cape City in 2016.
Stokes’ crowning glory in Take a look at cricket got here within the Headingley Ashes Take a look at of 2019, when his unbeaten 135 dragged England to one among their biggest wins.
Stokes, who additionally starred in two World Cup remaining wins in white-ball cricket, turned Take a look at captain in 2022 and has revolutionised the England staff, main them to 14 wins from 20 video games since he took cost.
“There can be a time once I can replicate a bit extra,” stated Stokes.
“While I am nonetheless taking part in and wanting to realize rather a lot, then driving the staff, giving people the perfect platform for them to achieve success is the place all my ideas are in the meanwhile.”
Stokes’ 128 sixes is essentially the most any batter has hit in Take a look at cricket.
With 6,251 Take a look at runs and 197 wickets, Stokes is on the point of turning into solely the third man to do the double of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets after greats of the sport Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers.
Nevertheless, a power knee harm has hampered Stokes’ bowling and he managed solely 4 Take a look at wickets in 2023.
He had surgical procedure in November and won’t bowl in the course of the collection in India, however is bowling in coaching within the hope he can play a full position as an all-rounder within the house summer time.
On Tuesday he stated he bowled three overs at roughly “70% depth”.
“It is little and sometimes now,” stated Stokes. “We do not have a plan with the place I am going with my depth. It is simply how I really feel on the time, but additionally not getting too far forward.
“The remainder of my physique has to rise up to hurry with bowling and this was one other step ahead.”
Stokes confirmed England have named a 12-man squad for the third Take a look at, with tempo bowler Mark Wooden added to the XI overwhelmed within the second Take a look at in Visakhapatnam.
England named just one specialist seamer in every of the primary two Checks, however the Rajkot pitch seems to be to have a protecting of inexperienced grass.
Wooden might are available in to companion James Anderson, with one among spin trio Shoaib Bashir, Rehan Ahmed or Tom Hartley making means.
The five-match collection is poised at 1-1 with three matches remaining as England look to change into the primary staff since 2012 to win a Take a look at collection on this nation.
“It units it up for a very good collection,” stated Stokes. “If we play cricket to the perfect of our means then we all know the outcomes will take care of themselves.”