Ben Stokes Likely to Miss England's Clash with Bangladesh in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Due to Outfield Concerns

Certainly, here’s a paraphrased and expanded version of the text:

In the build-up to their crucial match against Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, England finds themselves facing a pressing concern – the absence of their star player, Ben Stokes. Stokes, who has been nursing a troublesome hip injury, was notably absent during England’s heavy defeat to New Zealand in the tournament opener.

On a sunny day in Dharamshala, England took to the training ground, and for Stokes, it marked his first time back in the nets after a grueling ten-day hiatus due to his hip injury. Despite his determination, Stokes appeared far from comfortable during the practice session, casting doubt over his readiness for the upcoming game.

However, it’s not just Stokes’ fitness that’s causing concern. The outfield conditions at the venue have raised eyebrows and might play a decisive role in whether he takes the field. The cricketing world was alerted to the problematic outfield when Afghanistan’s coach, Jonathan Trott, criticized it after an unfortunate incident involving their spinner, Mujeeb ur Rahman, whose knee dug into the surface during a slide in their defeat to Bangladesh. Trott expressed relief that Mujeeb’s injury wasn’t more severe, highlighting the perilous nature of the playing surface.

Despite its stunning Himalayan backdrop, Dharamshala’s stadium has a recurring issue with its outfield. In February, the third Test between India and Australia was shifted to Indore due to similar concerns about the playing area. This time, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken notice. Chris Tetley, the head of events at ICC, and pitch consultant Andy Atkinson, conducted an inspection alongside the ground staff as part of a scheduled visit on Sunday. They noted the presence of bare, sandy patches scattered across the playing field.

In response to these concerns, England chose to limit their training time on the surface and instead opted for net practice. The management has even contemplated advising players against sliding while chasing the ball to the boundary to mitigate the risk of injury.

Regarding the outfield, an ICC spokesperson stated, “The process for assessing the condition of the pitch and outfield lies with the match officials, and the outfield at Dharamshala was rated as average after the Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh match. Additionally, the ICC independent pitch consultant has taken a look at the outfield today and is comfortable with the conditions, as is Javagal Srinath, the match referee for the next game.”

Considering Stokes’ ongoing injury woes, it’s increasingly likely that he won’t feature in the match against Bangladesh. His hip injury has already limited his role in the team, forcing him to play primarily as a batter due to chronic knee issues. With the potential risks involved, England might aim for his return in their match against Afghanistan, which follows closely on the heels of the Bangladesh encounter.

England, having suffered a demoralizing nine-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand, now find themselves under immense pressure ahead of their showdown with Bangladesh. Their net run-rate currently places them at the bottom of the early standings. In the 10-team round-robin stage of the tournament, only the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals. England did manage to defeat Bangladesh by four wickets in a warm-up game before the competition began, but whether they can repeat that success under these challenging conditions remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ben Stokes injury

Q: Why is Ben Stokes likely to miss the England vs. Bangladesh match in the 2023 Cricket World Cup?

A: Ben Stokes is facing potential exclusion from the match due to a lingering hip injury that kept him out of the tournament’s opener against New Zealand. Additionally, concerns about the condition of the playing outfield at Dharamshala have added to the uncertainty surrounding his participation.

Q: What was Ben Stokes’ recent training session like?

A: Ben Stokes returned to training after a ten-day hiatus due to his hip injury. However, during the practice session in Dharamshala, he appeared uncomfortable, raising doubts about his fitness for the upcoming match.

Q: Why is the outfield condition at Dharamshala a matter of concern?

A: The outfield at Dharamshala has been problematic, with bare, sandy patches scattered across the playing area. This issue has previously led to the relocation of matches, including a Test match between India and Australia.

Q: How have England’s team management and players responded to the concerns about the outfield?

A: England’s team management has limited the team’s training on the problematic outfield and opted for net practice instead. They have even considered advising players against sliding while chasing the ball to the boundary to prevent injuries.

Q: What is the ICC’s stance on the condition of the outfield at Dharamshala?

A: According to an ICC spokesperson, the assessment of the pitch and outfield condition falls under the jurisdiction of match officials. After the Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh match, the outfield was rated as average. The ICC’s independent pitch consultant and the match referee for the next game have also expressed comfort with the conditions.

Q: How might Ben Stokes’ ongoing injury issues impact his role in the team?

A: Ben Stokes has been playing primarily as a batter due to his chronic knee problem. His hip injury has further limited his role, raising concerns about his suitability for the match against Bangladesh and his overall participation in the tournament.

Q: What are the stakes for England in the 2023 Cricket World Cup?

A: England is under pressure following their nine-wicket defeat by New Zealand. Their net run-rate currently places them at the bottom of the early standings, and only the top four teams in the 10-team round-robin stage will advance to the semi-finals. The match against Bangladesh is crucial for their tournament prospects.

Q: Have England faced Bangladesh recently, and what was the outcome?

A: England previously played against Bangladesh in a warm-up game before the start of the tournament and secured a victory by four wickets. However, replicating that success under the current challenging conditions remains uncertain.

More about Ben Stokes injury

Ben Stokes Likely to Miss England’s Clash with Bangladesh in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Due to Outfield Concerns