England cricket captain Ben Stokes has expressed bewilderment at the unique conditions of the pitch for the upcoming fourth Test against India in Ranchi.
The surface is marked by notable cracks running along one side, a feature that Stokes has never encountered before in his cricketing career.
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Stokes remarked, "I've never seen something like that before. I have got no idea so I don't know what could happen," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the pitch and its potential impact on the game.
"If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India. It looked green and grassy up in the changing rooms, but then you go out there it looked different: very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it."
The condition of the pitch has significant implications for England, who are trailing 2-1 in the series and need a victory in the upcoming match to level the series and force a decisive fifth Test.
I hear the pitch in Ranchi will be like the first test .. lots of spin & a shorter game .. brings Englands spinners into the game .. 1 seamer & Dan Laurence to play is my guess .. England will a good chance with No Bumrah as well .. #OnOn #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 21, 2024
Will Ben Stokes bowl in Ranchi?
Stokes's potential return to bowling adds another dimension to England's strategy. Despite initial reservations due to knee surgery, Stokes has resumed bowling in training, with positive signs of his recovery. His ability to contribute with the ball could influence England's selection and tactics for the crucial Test match. However, the two successive defeats have forced him to review his plans.
He has held lengthy discussions with England physio Ben Davies & team doctor Glen Rae.
"I will just have to wait and see how everything is," said Stokes. "It is the longest I have bowled in six months so let's see how everything pulls up."
In the aftermath of England's heavy defeat in Rajkot, their most significant loss in terms of runs since 1934, the team faced significant criticism. The defeat marked a challenging moment for England under Ben Stokes' captaincy, with the team now under pressure to avoid their first series defeat during his tenure.
Stokes, however, remained unfazed by the backlash, acknowledging the nature of sports where accolades come with success and criticism with failure.
"It's sport," Stokes said. "You get plaudits when it goes well and not when it doesn't. It's part of it, I've been around long enough to know that, but we crack on.
"Defeats like last week can have a bigger effect on the team that it needs to be. But I'm comfortable with how I addressed that - I know it's the next game that counts."
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