As the fight for World Test Championship intensifies, the Kiwis are geared up to take on a brand new-looking English Team which has their former legend Brendon McCullum sitting at the helm of English red ball cricket.
Mental health is gaining traction worldwide. People are aware, empathetic than before, and more understanding. But, unfortunately, it stops right there. Nothing less, but yes, nothing more.
Ben Stokes slammed five consecutive sixes and a boundary in an over for Durham in a first-class match vs Worcestershire's Josh Baker on his way to a 64 ball 100.
With lot of England stalwarts already starting their annual criticism of the cash-rich T20 league, it is understood that Stokes, who could have again fetched bug bucks, has decided to stay away.
The previous history suggests all-rounders like Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff, who gave up captaincy after struggling in the role, may prevent England from giving Stokes full-time skipper work in Test cricket.
Root and Silverwood have faced sharp criticism following England's dismal show in the ongoing Ashes series, which the visitors trail 0-3.
Ponting also slammed England skipper Joe Root, Stokes and Jos Buttler for the manner of their dismissals in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test which the two-time World Cup winning captain believes was "inexcusable".
Stokes had dived to stop a ball racing to the boundary in the first session. He appeared to get up sore and barely bowled after the incident.
On-field umpires did not get help from the technology that helps check the front foot on every delivery. It was reported that the equipment that does this had broken down and Stokes went on to bowl a total of 14 no-balls, with only one getting detected.
It soon emerged that Stokes, bowling his first over in a test match since March, had also overstepped the crease on his previous three deliveries and not been called for a no-ball by the umpires.
Stokes is making a comeback to international cricket after taking a long break to address his mental well being and rest his left index finger which was fractured.
Ben Stokes joined the England squad for a training session for the first time after his six-month lay off from cricket at the Metrico stadium in the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
He missed the home series against India and wasn't included in the T20 World Cup and Ashes squads.
After posting a picture of him gripping a bat on Instagram on Monday for the first time in six months, Stokes posted three encouraging videos on Thursday where he was seen practicing his shots
Stokes initially underwent surgery four months ago after he picked up the injury on his left index finger while playing in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals.
After this, Stokes was arrested at the scene and footage from one of the police officers' body cameras captured him.
Stokes is taking an indefinite break from cricket to manage his mental health and recover from a finger he broke in April.
Stokes, who has struggled with a finger injury throughout the summer, recently played for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
With the deadline of naming the squads for the T20 World Cup on September 10, England's selectors are expected to meet this weekend to decide on the 15-member squad and three reserves.
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