Ben Stokes hopeful for recovery ahead of Pakistan Test tour

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Ben Stokes is on track to recover from a hamstring injury in time to participate fully in England’s upcoming tour of Pakistan in October.

The injury, sustained during a match in The Hundred earlier this month, sidelined him from the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, including the second Test at Lord’s starting on August 29.

Despite the setback, Stokes, 33, has already resumed light batting training in the nets.

In an interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), he expressed optimism about his recovery progress.

”I'm all good, just slowly progressing,” said Stokes. “Me batting is just scratching an itch. I’m just taking it easy, hitting some balls. It's still very early days in the rehab period.

“I want to get back as quick as I possibly can, so being around the medical team here with physio and doctors, I thought that was going to give myself the best chance of getting back sooner rather than later.”

England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope tempered expectations about Stokes returning immediately, he remained confident that the all-rounder would be back in top form for the upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.

”He's obviously still a fair while away off playing, and he's not trying to play as a batter and a first slip - just yet, anyway. But it's been great to see him.

”Injuries are never ideal, but they're also great chances for people to keep improving their game and have a little bit of time of reflection and think about what he can work on in his game. I'm sure that's exactly what he's doing in the nets.

“Going into that Pakistan series and then into New Zealand, he's going to be as fresh as anyone,” Pope said.

Stokes also discussed Pope’s transition into the captaincy role, noting the mental demands it brings.

“[Pope] has moved into the role seamlessly. He did actually say to me after day one in the field that he was so tired after the first day.

“I said I was as well because your mind is constantly going. But that is something that he got used to and I’m sure throughout the remainder of the series he’ll find that a bit easier.

“That first day for him was mentally draining, he admitted that, just with all the thinking and the fact that you can’t switch off at any moment,” Stokes said.

Reflecting on his temporary absence from play, Stokes acknowledged the unusual experience of watching England’s recent Test victory over Sri Lanka from the sidelines.

 “I think once the game started it was actually alright. The build up days were a bit weird. I was hanging around in the background but I wanted to be with the team.

“I really like watching cricket so that makes it a bit easier. I was actually pretty relaxed and pretty chilled. I thought I might be a little bit frantic. I’m sure the coaches and the guys in the dressing room would say otherwise.

“When you don't have the emotion of being in the game, you do look at it from a different point of view,” Stokes concluded.