Leg-spinner Yasir Shah marks his return to the national men's team as Pakistan on Wednesday announced an 18-member squad for next month's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
'The wicket was good to bat on, a lot of the batters got starts but didn't convert. This win gives us a lot of confidence. Very proud of such a young squad.'
'At No 3, potentially, I would be facing 100 balls, compared to maybe 60-70 like I normally do. I haven't looked to change too much, just might be facing a slightly different situation, especially when I'm starting off my innings.'
Brushing aside the incessant talk around spin-friendly pitches in India, big-hitting England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said that Test players should be proficient in handling all kinds of conditions.
Paceman Ben Stokes picked up the two remaining wickets in three balls as England won the thrilling first Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong by 22 runs on the final morning to keep their perfect record against the Asian side intact. While England needed two wickets for their ninth Test win against Bangladesh in as many matches, the hosts also had the chance of a famous victory, requiring 33 runs when they resumed on 253 for eight.
It is a mark of the standards Ben Stokes sets that his first reaction to the wonder catch that dismissed to Andile Phehlukwayo was that he had got into the wrong position.
'I've been a firm believer in that if you want Test cricket to survive and be alive and thriving, I think that's the way to go.'
England won the first Test by 74 runs before grabbing a 26-run victory in the second to register their first series win in Pakistan since 2000-01, but Stokes said they will press to become the first Test team to complete a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan.
England captain Eoin Morgan has played down injury concerns for all-rounder Ben Stokes, who left field with a sore knee during Wednesday's comprehensive victory over South Africa.
The 26-year-old New Zealand-born Stokes was omitted from the England touring party to Australia for the Ashes and remains suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation into an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has lambasted at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for calling back all-rounder Ben Stokes from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
With the three-match Test series poised at 1-1 and the decisive third match, beginning here from Thursday, both the teams seemed to be unclear about the pitch's nature.
England's World Cup-winning all-rounder Ben Stokes says outside noise used to affect him in his younger days but now he pays no heed to it as he has realised that team and people around hold more importance.
Root rescues England with controlled century in India
On Thursday, opener Suryavanshi was out for a duck, while young Jaiswal too could not make an impact, scoring just 13 runs as RR were all out for 117 at their home ground, chasing Mumbai Indians' 217/2.
Ben Stokes' participation in the Ashes would be an "absolute bonus" but England are preparing contingency plans after writing off the all-rounder for the series, coach Trevor Bayliss said.
New Zealand made a strong start to their bid for a consolation victory in the third and final Test against England at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Saturday, reaching lunch on the opening day on 93 without loss.
Kane Williamson scored a magisterial 156 at his most productive venue to drive New Zealand to the brink of a consolation victory over England at the end of the third day of the third Test.
What set Stokes' innings apart was not just how he handled the responsibility as England's only hope of salvaging the series, but just how he built his innings over two days.
Stokes, 27, was accused of knocking unconscious two men, Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, in a brawl in Bristol, southwest England, last September just hours after he had played in a one-day international against the West Indies.
With Ashwin absent from the Rajkot Test, India is forced to field only 10 players and four specialist bowlers.
The first Test is scheduled to begin on July 8 at the Ageas Bowl and Joe Root will leave England's training camp on Wednesday to be with his wife, Carrie, who is expecting their second child later this week.
Brydon Carse took six for 42 before England comfortably chased down their 104-run victory target in the first Test against New Zealand
Pakistan beat England by nine wickets in the deciding third Test to win the series 2-1 in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
Photos from the 2nd Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge on Sunday
England cricket captain Alastair Cook says all-rounder Ben Stokes gives England the "X factor" and put his improvement down to the work he has done to play against spin. Stokes won man of the match for his performance in England's thrilling 22-run victory in the first test against Bangladesh in Chittagong. He took six wickets, including two in three balls to seal victory on the final day, and scored a crucial 85 runs in the second innings after England's top order collapsed on day three.
Urges others to step up in the all-rounder's absence
Ben Stokes' dismissal soured Australia's 64-run over England in the second ODI at Lord's on Saturday.
Root stepped down last week, saying the job had taken a heavy toll on him recently, after dispiriting tours of Australia and the Caribbean capped a string of poor results.
England are the first team to hold both the ODI and T20I World Cups at the same time.
India's bid to win a 17th consecutive home Test series, however, hinges on the success of their three-pronged spin attack comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
England are desperate to win the final Ashes Test against Australia despite a series victory no longer being possible.
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between India and England at Visakhapatnam.
Harry Singh's father, R P Singh Senior, played two ODIs for India in the 1980s.
Handling of part-timer Joe Root that intrigued many after the second day's play on Friday.
Ben Stokes is poised to lead the team in the first Test against West Indies on July 8 with captain Joe Root likely to miss the game to attend the birth of his second child.
'Shubh Aarambh': From Fazilka to Leeds, journey of passionate dad and willing son
Ben Stokes survived several scares but featured in a 76-run late afternoon partnership with Ollie Pope as England reached 224 for four wickets at close on the opening day of the third Test against South Africa on Thursday.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain wants all-rounder Ben Stokes to work on taking his "unassuming" character beyond the cricket field as the player looks to rebuild his reputation.
India maintained their unbeaten streak at the 2023 World Cup with a 100-run victory in a low-scoring contest against holders England
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances