England lost the four-Test series 1-3 after going down in the final match by an innings and 25 runs last week. India entered into the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). England all-rounder Ben Stokes had made some revelations about how some of the English players were down with illness during the 4th Test of the recently-concluded Test series against India and suffered dramatic weight loss after a stomach illness hit the tourists before the match.
Ben Stokes Said It Was ‘Taxing’ For The England Players To Play In Scorching Heat In Ahmedabad
Ben Stokes, who was part of England’s playing XI for the fourth Test, said it was ‘taxing'(Challenging) for some of the English players to play in scorching heat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He revealed the likes of him, pacer James Anderson and batsman Dom Sibley were down with an illness and shed a lot of weight. Stokes revealed he lost 5kg inside a week while Anderson lost 3kg.
“Players are totally committed to England and I think that was emphasized last week when a few of us went down with an illness that made operating in 41-degree heat particularly taxing,” Stokes told UK’s ‘Daily Mirror’.
“I lost 5kg in a week, Dom Sibley 4kg and Jimmy Anderson 3kg among others. Jack Leach was ducking off the field in between bowling spells and spending more time than is ideal in the toilet.”
Stokes applauded Rishabh Pant for his terrific performance under the conditions where he scored 101 runs which guided India to score 365 runs in their First Innings. “This is in no way an excuse because everyone was ready to play, and India and Rishabh Pant especially produced a terrific performance, but I take off my hat to the effort that was put in by players who gave everything they had to try and win for England,” Stokes said.
Stokes: A Loss Like This Can Dent The Confidence Of The Youngsters In The Team
“I wouldn’t want any player, especially a young lad like Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley or Dom Sibley leaving this tour and thinking they are not good enough to be here. They most definitely are.”
“I have been through times like this in my career and your confidence can take a knock from a tour like this … you have to use the disappointment in the best way you can to motivate you to improve.”
Stokes and co would be looking to regain their form and confidence in the upcoming T20 series against India which starts on 12th March 2021, Friday.
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