England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was named ODI captain for the Pakistan series after the entire team was placed in isolation due to COVID-19 cases, has suggested that his country’s players may have to spend more time in the bio-bubble ahead of the five-Test series against India in August-September. let’s look at Ben Stokes On England Test Players.
Under Stokes captaincy took England to a 2-0 win over Pakistan in the three-match ODI series, said it would be “extremely irritating” if the players had to go the bio-bubble more sooner than planned for the India series. On July 21 and August 21, The Hundred will take place.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been taken by surprise with recent COVID-19 instances, and they have had to select a whole new England team for the ODI series over Pakistan. Aside from that, the County Championship match involving Derbyshire and Essex had to be called off, forcing Kent to face their second team.
Due to irritation of similar incidents, England Test players may be required to enter the bio-bubble earlier than planned for the next series against India, which begins on August 4.
Ben Stokes On England Test Players
“All these things are in place to make sure we’re as safe as possible. I have no doubt things have had to go back to the drawing board. But everything is in place to ensure the safety of players and backroom staff,” Stokes said in an Interview.
“Nothing is set in stone for the India series, but it will be done in the right way. You have to make sacrifices, but at the same time, you have to consider welfare as well. Bubble life is very tough. Just going from hotel to cricket ground can get to you. So, there is a lot to think about in terms of keeping everyone safe and making sure being looked after from the mental health side of things. Because bubbles are very tough,” added Stokes.
While Stokes is willing to spend more time within the bio-bubble, he admits that missing out on playing in the Hundred would be a disappointment.
“It would be very frustrating to not be able to participate in the Hundred,” Stokes said. “It’s a massive event for England and we want to be part of it. We know how big role players have in making a franchise competition big and if the Test players were unable to play in it because of Covid that would be pretty devastating.”
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