Ben Stokes stays the “man to be counted on”, insists quick bowler Mark Wooden, who hopes England can hit high gear in Thursday’s T20 World Cup semi-final in opposition to India on the Adelaide Oval.
Stokes was averaging simply 9.8 with a 100 strike-rate in his final six T20 innings earlier than this weekend however England’s 2019 50-over World Cup ultimate hero delivered after they have been teetering in opposition to Sri Lanka.
His unbeaten 42 off 36 balls was simply what was wanted to get England to victory by 4 wickets with two balls to spare in Sydney in a scrappy chase to pip Australia to second spot of their Tremendous 12s group.
The contribution was one other instance of Stokes maintaining his composure, simply as nerves seemed to be setting into the England camp, and Wooden is aware of how redoubtable his Durham team-mate is.
“He is a superb man to have in a tricky scenario,” Wooden stated. “I do know folks have questioned him however once you want him, he stands up. That is why you’ve got him within the crew.
“That is one other second in his profession that once you look again you may say when the crew wanted him he was the person to be counted on.
“He did not look phased or something like that as a result of he is been there and performed it earlier than. You suppose we’re beneath strain however he simply takes it in his stride and is aware of precisely what he is attempting to do.
“We all know how good he’s and that if we’re in hassle, he is the person that by no means offers in, he by no means offers up and he all the time appears to come back by means of after we want him probably the most.”
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Captain Jos Buttler says he felt ‘a way of calm’ with Stokes on the crease as England secured a spot within the semi-finals
Salt may very well be the person if Malan misses semi-final
Phil Salt may are available in for Dawid Malan if England resolve on a like-for-like substitute
Stokes got here out at first drop on Saturday after Dawid Malan tweaked his left groin throughout Sri Lanka’s innings, pulling up sharply after chasing down the ball, and he didn’t bat in England’s reply.
England’s physios are monitoring the harm over the subsequent day or so earlier than deciding on the subsequent steps.
If Malan is pressured to overlook out in opposition to India, England’s spare batter of their 15-strong squad is Phil Salt so he may very well be introduced into the XI in the event that they resolve on a like-for-like substitute.
“He is one of many solely ones that faces the bowlers (within the nets),” Wooden stated. “Usually the batters like canine sticks however he takes on the bowlers and I believe he is chomping on the bit.
“He is been prepared for some time and he is obtained one thing about him.”
Wooden irritated by his sluggish begins
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Throughout the England cricket crew picture shoot, Stokes jokingly knocked Mark Wooden off of his chair
Wooden, who has constantly hit the mid-90mph vary all through England’s marketing campaign, admits he has been irritated by his sluggish begins of late having leaked 17 in his opening over in opposition to Sri Lanka and was additionally costly in his opening six-ball bursts in opposition to New Zealand and Eire.
“I’ve obtained to cease making a behavior of that,” he stated. “It is getting annoying having to tug it again. I want I did not have to try this.
“I am happy I’ve proven some character and a few satisfaction in my efficiency to tug it again, however I might like to not get in that place within the first place as a result of at instances I’ve taken wickets up entrance within the powerplay. However within the final couple I’ve gone for just a few, so it is one thing I must work on.”
Watch England’s T20 World Cup semi-final stay on Sky Sports activities Cricket on Thursday. An hour-long build-up begins at 7am forward of an 8am begin at Adelaide Oval.
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