Stokes likely to resume bowling duties in third Pakistan ODI

If training sessions are anything to go by, Ben Stokes looks all set to resume bowling duties in the third One-Day International against Pakistan at Trent Bridge. The pacer has been restricted to be playing just as a batman because of a recent spate of injuries.

"The plan from the start was to be fit and ready to bowl by the third ODI," Stokes said on Sunday (August 29). By the way things are going it is looking likely I will be an option for Eoin Morgan in Nottingham if needed.

"I have done all the prep to get myself fit and put my hand up and say I am ready to bowl. I bowled for about 15 minutes flat out and all the build-up stuff I needed to do has been done."

Stokes has managed 15 and 42 in this series and acknowledged that he was a bit surprised that he was playing ahead of the in-form Johnny Bairstow. "I was a bit surprised I got the nod ahead of Jonny," he revealed. Since South Africa he has shown amazing form. But at the same time it's nice to get that confidence from your captain and coach saying we want you to play as a specialist batsman.

"Not bowling makes the fielding innings seem a lot longer. It's so boring. If you bowl 10 overs, it kind of takes 20 overs out of the game for you.

"But knowing I wasn't going to bowl in these first two games, I worked longer on my batting in the build-up days. It's normally quite hard to get everything into training that I want, so it's been quite nice to solely concentrate on the batting in these first two games. But I will be going into the next training session trying to put my hand up and say I am fit to bowl."

While the Pakistan spinners pose a healthy challenge for Stokes even in English conditions, his real test will be when he tours Bangladesh and India later this year. With the tracks expected to assist the spinners even more, Stokes will need to fine tune his batting abilities to succeed.

However, Stokes said he has worked hard on his game and is ready to take the challenge. "What I have learnt is that I can give myself time. I don't need to be going out and reverse sweeping and sweeping for four and six," he pointed out. I can just try to rotate the strike. Singles are just as valuable as boundaries if you are rotating the strike and not letting the bowlers settle.

"I have also worked hard on my defensive game. After the UAE tour where I struggled against the spin, I knew it was something I needed to work on."
 
England lead the five-match ODI series 2-0 and will take on Pakistan with an eye on the series win on Tuesday.