England have asked for “flat, fast wickets” at this year’s Ashes, captain Ben Stokes said yesterday, adding that he already had a lineup in mind for the five-Test series in June.
Australia have not relinquished the famous urn since reclaiming it in 2017-18 but will face a buoyant England team who have won 10 of their last 12 Tests under Stokes and head coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum.
England’s highly entertaining “Bazball” approach has earned plaudits, and they will look to take that aggressive style into the Ashes where they should be able to call upon speedsters Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.
“I think I know what the starting XI is going to be, there or thereabouts,” Stokes told Sky Sports.
“Having the option to bowl above 90mph, any captain wants that. (But) when it comes to that first Test I will be making sure I pick the best team for that first game.
“We’ve been clear with the groundstaff what type of wickets we want and they have been responsive. We want flat, fast wickets. We want to score quickly. If that brings (Australia’s) guys in, they will be happy. I’m smiling, because I’m looking forward to it.” All-rounder Stokes has mostly played as a batter during this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with Chennai Super Kings, bowling just one over in two matches due to a troublesome left knee.
Stokes said his recovery from the knee issue was “going nicely. But I’m not going to rush myself, the main priority is making sure I can fulfil my role as a fourth seamer in the Ashes,” he added.
The first Ashes Test will be held at Edgbaston from June 16.
Patience required to end Suryakumar’s IPL slump, says Shastri
Mumbai Indians batter Suryakumar Yadav needs to be a little more patient early on in his knock if he is to find a way out of his slump in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India head coach Ravi Shastri said.
Suryakumar is the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 batter but has found the going tough in recent times and was dismissed for three first-ball ducks in the home one-day series against Australia last month.
The 32-year-old managed 15, one and a zero in his three outings for Mumbai, who beat hosts Delhi Capitals yesterday. Suryakumar was dismissed for nought.
“There’s going to be light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to be seeing that very soon,” Shastri told the Cricinfo website ahead of the match.
“And when he sees that, he’s going to grab it and make the most of it.
“So the advice to him would be just give yourself a little bit of time early on, even though it’s T20 cricket.”
Known for his audacious strokeplay and 175-plus strike rate in T20 Internationals, Suryakumar tends to attack right from the word go but Shastri said he should take some time to find his feet at the crease.
“One good hit and you’re on your way. That’s what he needs – one good hit, and a little bit of time at the crease,” he added.
“Not 20-30 minutes, maybe six balls or eight balls, and I think he’d be fine.”
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also felt Suryakumar needed to be backed ahead of India’s campaign in the 50-overs World Cup on home soil later this year.
“Everyone around the world knows what Surya can do in white-ball cricket. They should stick with him, I feel,” Ponting told the International Cricket Council website last week.
“Because he is, I think, the kind of player that can win you a World Cup.
“He might be a little bit inconsistent but he’s the sort of guy who in big moments can win you something.”
Ben Stokes
