Ben Stokes’ Fitness Under Scrutiny After Bowling No-Show in Adelaide

Despite being hammered by Australia on day three of the Adelaide test, Ben Stokes did not bowl in any session. His absence from the bowling attack once again sparked fitness concerns, although nothing has been confirmed by the team management. The captain could return to bowling on day four of the test, provided he feels 100% fit to take the ball.

The assistant coach of England, Jeetan Patel, was also unsure why Stokes did not come on to bowl on the third day. He said the captain might have been a bit tired, so he chose not to bowl with his fitness in mind.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the game,” said England assistant coach, Jeetan Patel.

He said Ben Stokes might have been disappointed with the way he got out in the first innings. It was definitely a good delivery, but Stokes was hoping to put more runs on the board to give England a stronger position. The coach expressed optimism that Stokes would return to bowling, provided he feels fit enough to do so.

"The disappointment of the way he got out this morning… well not the way, it was a pretty good delivery… but all the work he had done to get to the position where he was, where we could press on again and push that partnership further… that took a lot out of him as well and then you get that early wicket and the energies are up and all of a sudden it's not quite where you think it's going,” said Jeetan Patel.

He then explained Stokes’ personality, saying that he does not commit to anything unless he is 100% into it. Keeping that in view, he expects Stokes to return to bowling on the third day of the Adelaide test.

"From what we heard he was (fit). He didn't bowl, but that's probably a different discussion with him. I don't actually know. My sense is he's just pretty knackered. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl," said Jeetan Patel.

Still Optimistic to Make a Comeback

The assistant coach then spoke about the current match situation, saying that he still believes England can make a comeback. He added that the visitors would need a miracle to turn the match in their favor, and he is not losing hope of achieving that.

"I'm very optimistic of where we could take it. I still believe there's an opportunity for us. It won't be easy; we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we saw something magical from us, you know? said Jeetan Patel.

"Three games in, we've thrown some but taken a lot and I think it's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers back,” added Jeetan Patel.

He then said that players in the dressing room need to find answers to some questions. As a coach, he believes the team can still rise to the challenge, provided they come up with the right solutions on the field.

"When I go back in that changing room, that's certainly the way I'll be looking at it. I'm sure there'll still be some guys having a little laugh about themselves, and it's what this game is about. It tests you down here, doesn't it, and asks you some really hard questions. Personally, I think we've just got to try and find a way to stand up and answer them," concluded Jeetan Patel.