England captain Ben Stokes is all set to make a powerful return to international cricket as a full-fledged all-rounder when England begins its Test summer with a four-day game against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, starting May 22.
Stokes, who suffered a left hamstring tear during the final Test in New Zealand in December 2024 and underwent surgery in January, confirmed to Sky Sports that he is physically ready and mentally eager to take on his dual responsibilities.
Stokes Confident in Bowling Return
“I feel great. Training and playing are completely different. But in terms of my role as a player, that full seamer, batting at six, trying to dominate every situation I find myself in — that’s what I want to get back to doing on the field,” said Stokes, reaffirming his desire to contribute with both bat and ball.
England will use the Zimbabwe match as a tune-up ahead of the high-profile five-Test series against India later in the summer. The return of Stokes in full form is a massive boost to England’s balance and competitiveness.
“Fitter Than Ever”: Stokes on Comeback
Despite multiple injuries in recent months — including a previous hamstring strain that sidelined him from the series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan — Stokes is optimistic.
“I always work hard. My ethos when I’m injured is to come back fitter than I was before. I’ve worked incredibly hard on my cricket and fitness. I may be in the best physical shape of my career,” he stated.
In Constant Contact With McCullum
Stokes also praised his working relationship with head coach Brendon McCullum, with whom he has discussed managing workloads and ensuring longevity.
“I talk to Baz a lot about this stuff. We’ve worked together for so long and know each other inside out. Our conversations over the past couple of months have been very productive,” Stokes shared.
What This Means for England
With Stokes returning to bowl and bat at full tilt, England can look forward to greater team flexibility heading into two crucial series — Zimbabwe and India. His leadership, especially in high-pressure situations, could prove pivotal in what is shaping up to be a defining summer for English cricket.
Also read: Shubman Gill’s Test Captaincy Faces Criticism from Kris Srikkanth
Match Info:
England vs Zimbabwe
Four-Day Test
Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Start Date: May 22, 2025
