England captain Ben Stokes determined to excel as all-rounder in home Tests vs India
England's Test captain Ben Stokes has declared himself in the best physical condition of his career as he gears up for a crucial home summer, where he is expected to lead from the front with both bat and ball. The 33-year-old will mark his return from injury in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge next week, before England take on India in a highly anticipated five-match Test series beginning June 20 at Headingley.advertisementStokes has been out of action since tearing his hamstring during England's tour of New Zealand in December. But unlike in the past, when he often rushed back prematurely, the England skipper opted for a more cautious and measured recovery this time-an approach he believes has paid off."I've worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I'm going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially be in physically the best possible shape I have been in," Stokes told Sky Sports.
Injuries have frequently disrupted Stokes' career, largely due to the demands of his all-round role. However, he remains eager to return to that dual responsibility, confident that he can once again make a significant impact in both departments.advertisement"But in terms of my role as a player, that full seamer, batting at six, trying to dominate every situation I find myself, whether I've got a bat or ball in my hand, is what I want to get back doing out on the field, on the biggest stage. I know I've done it before, it's something I've very confident in myself I can do."I always work hard. My ethos when I'm injured is I come back fitter than I was before I got injured. I've worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I'm going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially be in physically the best possible shape I have been in," he added.England's summer schedule starts with the Zimbabwe Test in Nottingham, followed by the five-match series against India. After the opener in Leeds, the two sides will face off in Birmingham, Lord's, Manchester, and The Oval. The Indian team, currently one of the top-ranked Test sides, brings a formidable bowling attack-making it a challenging test for England's ambitions.Stokes also revealed ongoing conversations with head coach Brendon McCullum about managing his workload and staying fit throughout the demanding summer."I'm 33-I don't want to expose myself to situations where I'm off the field when I don't need to be," Stokes admitted. "I talk to Baz a lot about these things. We've spoken about how he can help me better manage that balance. We've worked together for so long, we know each other inside out, and those discussions have been really constructive."
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