'Nothing to worry about' - Ben Stokes' injury update brings equanimity in English dressing room ahead of Ashes summer

England captain Ben Stokes turned down concerns about his knee after he appeared hobbling while completing a catch in their Test win over Ireland on Saturday, June 3. England registered a 10-wicket win over Ireland in the one-off Test at Lord's. 

The 32-year-old has been suffering from discomfort in his knee for a while, which has restricted him from bowling in Test cricket. When he pulled off a catch to dismiss Ireland's Curtis Campher, the English skipper seemed to be in discomfort. 

Stokes said that he fell awkwardly and that his weight landed on the inside of his knee, hyperextending it. He also stated that he will be turning 32 on Sunday (June 4), which may explain the reason for it. He also went on to say that he bowled for the first time since returning from India, adding it would not be a problem ahead of the Ashes.

"I landed quite awkwardly. My weight went on the inside of my knee, I hyper-extended it. It was one of those things, but I am 32 (on Sunday) so that probably explains it," Stokes was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

"I bowled this morning, the first time I have bowled since being back from (the Indian Premier League) and I was really happy with the way it was. Nothing to worry about," he added.

Tongue bowled in longer spells and showed how versatile he can be: Stokes

Stokes then hailed Test debutant Josh Tongue, who took five wickets in the second innings, removing top-order batters at regular intervals. The all-rounder stated that the 25-year-old bowled long spells and demonstrated his versatility. Notably, Tongue was named in the Ashes squad for the first two Tests.

"He obviously played that third seamer role, and we used him with different plans at different times. He bowled in longer spells and showed how versatile he can be, which is what we are looking for in a third seamer. He can bowl 90 mph, full and short. It was a special feeling for a kid to get a five-for on debut, particularly at Lord's," the England skipper added.