England captain Ben Stokes played down any injury concerns and insisted he was “raring to go” in the second Test against New Zealand after pulling a leg while bowling in the tourists’ series-opening win.
On the fourth and final morning in Christchurch, Stokes withdrew from the attack but remained on the field and said in the post-match presentation that he was just managing his body, straightening his back as he came out.
The captain suffered a hamstring injury while batting in The Hundred this summer and subsequently missed the three-Test series at home to Sri Lanka as well as the first of three games in Pakistan.
Stokes scored 80 in England’s eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval
Stokes, who scored 80 from No.7 against New Zealand, said ahead of Friday’s second match in Wellington.:”This week was quite a difficult week. a lot of time in the field, I bowled 20 overs and spent time in the middle with the bat as well.
“I was hurting my back diving for the ball, so it was more management than anything. Where we were in the game, I didn’t feel the need to take any more balls.
“I think the body will be fine for this ride, and I shall seldom go to Wellington.”
Stokes: Brooke is getting stronger
Stokes’ knock, in which he conceded 30 to opposition skipper Tim Southee, was his highest Test score since the 2023 Ashes and he looked smoother than his average of 13.25 in Pakistan in October.
Harry Brook scored 171 in the series opener after conceding five runs
The skipper put on 159 with Harry Brook (171), dismissed five times by New Zealand, for England’s sixth wicket at Hagley Oval before Gus Atkinson (48 off 36) and Brydon Carsey (33 off 24) put on 63 respectively. and 40 runs as the tourists rallied from 71-4 to 499 innings.
Stokes added: “It was good. With Gus and Carsey coming in and beating them like that, I was hitting them and thinking, “I had to play that role.”
“We’re in a tough spot and I’ve just tried to work with Brookie to make sure we get a good overall result.
Of Brook, who became the second fastest Englishman to reach 2,000 Test runs, reaching the milestone in 36 innings and averaging over 60 in his first 22 matches, Stokes added: go ahead and make that big score.
Brooke hit seven centuries in his first 22 Tests
“Brooke is an incredible player, an incredible talent. To have someone of his ability in our middle is great.
“He’s constantly trying to put pressure on the bowlers and he’s going strong.”
“Cars is a work horse”
Carse’s knocks were sandwiched as he took four first-innings wickets and then six in the second as he became the first England bowler to take a 10-wicket haul overseas since off-spinner Monty Panesar in 2012 and the first since Ryan Sidebottom in the New Zealand 16. years ago.
“I also thought our bowlers were pretty relentless so it was a very good start,” Stokes said.
“I grew up with Brydon (Cars) in our Durham days and knew his potential and talent, so to see him make such an impact is amazing.
“He’s a hard worker and will charge all day, whether the conditions are in his favor or not.
The Match Carse player, who now has 19 wickets in three Tests, said: “The surfaces in Pakistan were obviously very different to this. There’s a lot more carry and bounce, which suits my bowling style better.
“I’m very happy with my personal performance and I’m very proud of the result. It’s very satisfying to win as a team.
“We were challenged throughout the game but stuck to certain plans and got our rewards.”
