‘He Knew He Was F****d’: Chris Woakes Reveals Ben Stokes’ Relentless Mindset | Cricket News

Ben Stokes is recovering from a shoulder injury. (AP Photo)

Chris Woakes has shared insights into Ben Stokes’ mentality and dedication for England, which is often not ‘clever’ but full of heart.

The recently retired all-rounder cited an example of the fourth Test between India and England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford in July. Stokes bowled his heart out, taking five wickets in the first innings and one more in the second, but was later revealed to be injured and missed the deciding fifth match.

Woakes believes that Stokes knew his shoulder trouble was serious even during the match, but still pushed himself. He said England would need the skipper to be more careful than that in the upcoming Ashes.

“He’s bowling probably the best he’s ever bowled in his career,” Woakes said at an event, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “He’s as fit as he’s ever been. But as he’s getting older, you know, [there’s a] chance of breaking down. I think at Old Trafford this year, I think he knew [he] was f**ked, basically. ‘I’m broken anyway, I’ll just keep going.’ Which isn’t a clever thing to do, but that’s the way Stokes is. He wants to give all to the team. As a leader, he wants to be the guy to do it. We need him to play all five Test matches.”

Stokes was one of the best bowlers in that series against India, taking 17 wickets at 25.23. His bowling fitness could be crucial to England’s prospects in Australia.

Former captain Michael Vaughan, at the same event, said Stokes is one of the few bowlers in the England team who can consistently do the ‘channel’ bowling, which might be necessary down under this time.

‘England will expect to win’: Michael Vaughan

Discussing England’s chances, Vaughan said he’d personally not mind a 2-2 scoreline, for it would be the best Ashes result in Australia for the Three Lions since 2010-11. However, he admitted that Stokes and Co. won’t think like that.

“I think they need a trophy,” he said. “I mean, would I take two-all now? Probably, let’s be honest. In the last few series, 2010-11 is the only time that I’ve seen England have success. We won one Test match in 2002-03, we won three Test matches in 2010-11. We haven’t won a Test since. So, actually looking at growth in terms of what English cricket is delivering and, crikey, if you could get a two-all series, you’d obviously take that.

“But I think Ben and his mentality, and the way that he plays his cricket, this is his moment. He has to deliver and he has to get that urn in his hand. And it’s not putting him under pressure. They’ll be speaking in this kind of language in the dressing room. They will expect to win this series and now’s the time to deliver.”