(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ fitness hangs in balance as his availability for the 2023 World Cup opener is not yet confirmed.
As informed by the England captain Jos Buttler in a press conference on the eve of the 2023 World Cup opening clash, Stokes has a hip niggle and a call on his availability will be taken after the practice session today.
“He (Stokes) has got a slight niggle with his hip. Fingers crossed that it will be good news for us. He is working hard with the physios and we will know more when the guys arrive for training today. We will make the right call: if he is not fit to play, he is not fit to play,” Butter said as quoted in the presser.
Notably, Stokes have been already struggling with knee issues, which he is believed to operate on after the World Cup.
He did not play even in England’s warm-up fixture against Bangladesh.
While he is not ruled out of tomorrow’s game yet if there is a hint of doubt about his fitness, England will not risk playing him, stated Buttler.
England and New Zealand will set the ball rolling in the World Cup 2023. The two teams will meet on October 5 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
England enter the competition as the defending champions, while New Zealand were the runner-up in the previous edition.