England Coach Brendon McCullum Lauds “Greyhound” Ben Stokes, Confident of His Fitness for India Test Series

England coach Brendon McCullum has lauded the remarkable recovery of star all-rounder Ben Stokes, expressing confidence that the “greyhound” of a player is fully prepared for the upcoming five-match Test series against India.

Stokes underwent surgery in November 2023 to address a long-standing left knee problem. Despite the challenging rehabilitation period, McCullum praises Stokes for his incredible work ethic, stating, “He looks like a greyhound. He’s put the work in, everyone knows his work ethic is phenomenal.” The England coach is optimistic about Stokes’ fitness, emphasising the all-rounder’s commitment to being “good to go.”

Training and Preparations in India

England’s team arrived in India recently, and Stokes, having trained with the squad in Abu Dhabi, showcased his physical readiness. Although he refrained from bowling during the training sessions, McCullum affirms that Stokes’ overall condition indicates his preparedness for the challenging Test series.

“I’ve seen him running around, and I think he’s good to go. We’ll obviously make that call as late as we need to. But he’s put all the work in, and we’ll just have to wait and see,” McCullum stated, highlighting the meticulous approach in assessing Stokes’ participation.

Challenges and Player Updates

England faces challenges with the absence of batter Harry Brook, who returned to the UK for personal reasons. Dan Lawrence has been named as his replacement, offering additional depth to the squad. Uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir faced visa delays and remained in Abu Dhabi. McCullum assures support for Bashir, expressing optimism about a swift resolution to the visa issue.

“The time that Bash (Bashir) had with the squad over in Abu Dhabi, where he fitted in seamlessly, will serve him greatly. We’ve also got a little bit of support out there for him so he’s not on his own,” McCullum assures, emphasising Bashir’s integration into the team once the visa concerns are addressed.

Support for Harry Brook

Brendon McCullum concludes by offering support to Harry Brook, who withdrew from the Test series against India due to personal reasons. Recognizing the importance of personal matters, McCullum states, “There’s a chance he may return later in the tour, but for now, we just want him to be with his family and do his thing.”

As the excitement builds for the England-India Test series, the fitness of key players like Ben Stokes remains a focal point, and McCullum’s positive assessment adds to the anticipation surrounding the much-anticipated cricketing battle.

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