Ben Stokes in doubt to bowl again in the second Test against New Zealand

England is currently involved in the second Test against New Zealand at the Seddon Park. It is the last game of the Test series and an important one from the perspective of Joe Root and Co. as they are lagging in the series by 1-0. On  Day 1, they suffered a major blow as their star all-rounder Ben Stokes looked quite uncomfortable due to the pain in his left knee while bowling.

Ben Stokes underwent surgery of his left knee in 2016 after he sustained an injury while bowling against Sri Lanka. It seems like team management was well aware of Stokes injury ahead of the second Test because of which they have picked an extra seamer Chris Woakes in the playing XI at the expense of their frontline spinner in Jack Leach. 

Ben Stokes struggles with his left knee pain

England all-rounder looked in pain in his second over in Hamilton. He completed his over but was not brought back into the bowling attack again. It is now expected that the skipper might not risk him at any cost keeping his batting potential in mind. Skipper Root might bowl as the fifth bowler in the game at Seddon Park.

The two-match Test series between New Zealand and England is not the part of ICC Test Championship. So, the team management would not like to risk Ben Stokes ahead of an important four-match Test series against South Africa that will begin on Boxing Day at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

After the conclusion of the series, Ben Stokes will not get enough time for the treatment of his knee as he will have to leave for South Africa earlier than the England team. Stokes has also been nominated for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award. The all-rounder is one of the favourites to win that prestigious award.

The England bowlers started off well to their game at Seddon Park and the hosts were left struggling with two wickets at the lowly score of 39 runs. But, later on, Tom Latham and  Henry Nicholls stitched a partnership of 116 runs that brought their side back into the game.

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