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In a surprising turn of events at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, England‘s star all-rounder Ben Stokes is not taking part in today’s game against Bangladesh. This unexpected absence has left cricket enthusiasts and fans puzzled, prompting speculations about the reasons behind his non-participation.
Why Ben Stokes is not playing the match against Bangladesh?
England captain Jos Buttler has cited a minor injury concern as the primary cause for Stokes’s absence. It is reported that Stokes has been nursing a minor niggle, and the team has decided to rest him for this fixture as a precautionary measure to ensure his full fitness for the upcoming matches in the tournament.
Stokes batted in the nets twice since England arrived in Dharamsala for the Bangladesh clash. The southpaw moved much more freely when he faced spinners on Monday morning than he did while batting against sidearm throws on Sunday (October 8) afternoon.
Buttler also confirmed that Stokes is progressing well and there are chances of his comeback during the Afghanistan fixture on coming Sunday.
Stokes, known for his exceptional batting, bowling and fielding abilities, is a crucial asset to the England cricket team. His dynamic performances have played pivotal roles in numerous victories for England in the past, making his absence in any game a matter of concern for the team and its fans.
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England’s team management is likely to prioritize Stokes’s long-term fitness and the team’s campaign in the tournament over his immediate participation in this particular match. They are taking a cautious approach to ensure that Stokes recovers fully and is available for the critical fixtures ahead.
As the cricket world eagerly awaits further updates on Stokes’s condition, England will have to rely on their squad depth and alternate options to fill the void left by the absence of the dynamic all-rounder.
England’s playing XI against Bangladesh
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
