England captain Ben Stokes performed down any damage issues and insisted he was “raring to go” for the second Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand after pulling up whereas bowling through the vacationers’ win within the sequence opener.
Stokes withdrew himself from the assault on the fourth and remaining morning in Christchurch however stayed on the sphere and mentioned on the post-match presentation that he was simply managing his physique having tweaked his again whereas fielding.
The captain suffered a hamstring damage whereas batting in The Hundred this summer time and subsequently missed the three-Take a look at sequence at residence to Sri Lanka as nicely the primary of three video games in Pakistan.
Stokes, who scored 80 from the No 7 spot in opposition to New Zealand, mentioned forward of Friday’s second fixture in Wellington: “It has been a pretty heavy week this week – a lot of time in the field, I bowled 20 overs and spent time out on the middle with the bat as well.
“I harm my again diving for a ball so it was administration greater than anything. The place we have been within the recreation, I did not really feel it essential to eke out any extra balls.
“I think the body is going to be good for this outing and I am raring to go for Wellington.”
Stokes: Brook going from energy to energy
Stokes’ knock, throughout which he was dropped on 30 by opposition skipper Tim Southee, was his highest Take a look at rating for the reason that 2023 Ashes and he seemed extra fluent than he did whereas averaging 13.25 in Pakistan in October.
Harry Brook scored 171 within the sequence opener after being dropped 5 instances
The skipper placed on 159 with Harry Brook (171) – who was dropped 5 instances by New Zealand – for England’s sixth wicket at Hagley Oval earlier than including 63 and 40 with Gus Atkinson (48 off 36) and Brydon Carse (33no off 24) respectively because the vacationers rallied from 71-4 to 499 all out of their first innings.
Stokes added: “It was good. With Gus and Carsey coming in and batting like that, I was giving them the strike and thinking ‘I should be doing that role!’
“We discovered ourselves in a tough place and I simply tried to construct a partnership with Brooky to ensure we acquired as much as a superb complete.
On Brook, who grew to become the second-fastest Englishman to 2,000 Take a look at runs, reaching the milestone in 36 innings, and averages over 60 throughout his first 22 matches, Stokes added: “When the opposition are dropping catches left, right and centre you do want to go on and make that big score.
Brook has struck seven centuries in his first 22 Exams
“Brooky is an incredible player, an incredible talent. To have someone with his ability in our middle order is outstanding.
“He’s always seeking to put the strain on the bowlers and goes from energy to energy.”
‘Carse is a workhorse’
Carse’s batting was sandwiched by him taking four first-innings wickets and then six in the second as he became the first England bowler to bag a 10-wicket match haul overseas since spinner Monty Panesar in 2012 and first seamer since Ryan Sidebottom in New Zealand 16 years ago.
“I additionally thought our bowlers have been fairly relentless, so it was an excellent begin,” mentioned Stokes.
“I have grown up with Brydon [Carse] in our Durham days and known his potential and talent so to see him make such an impact is amazing.
“He’s a workhorse and can cost in all day no matter whether or not the circumstances are in his favour or not.”
Player of the Match Carse, who now has 19 wickets in three Tests, said: “The surfaces in Pakistan have been clearly very totally different to this. There’s much more carry and bounce right here which suited my model of bowling extra.
“I am very happy with my personal performance and very proud of the outcome. To be able to win as a team is very satisfying.
“We have been thrown totally different challenges all through the sport however caught to sure plans and acquired our rewards.”
