Ben Stokes on Dharamsala floor

As they’ve achieved so typically lately, England named their taking part in XI for the Dharamsala Take a look at a day forward of the sport. The guests made one change to their crew – quick bowler Mark Wooden changing Ollie Robinson.

Talking a pre-match press convention, Stokes defined that they took a call on the taking part in XI primarily based on the floor on supply. Dharamsala is colder than different instances at this level of the 12 months. Nonetheless, with no grass on the floor, the batters might take pleasure in themselves.

“Earlier than we even received right here, we have been in all probability pondering it was going to be a 3 seamer one spinner assault however then once we noticed the wicket after which noticed it once more right now, I feel going with two seamers and two spinners might be the correct name,” Stokes mentioned.

“We felt there would in all probability a bit extra grass on the wicket simply due to the place we’re however general the wicket appears to be like an absolute belter. So taking part in two seamers and nonetheless having Bash (Shoaib Bashir) and Tom (Hartley) offers us an excellent combination if you end up just a little bit uncertain of what it would do because the Take a look at goes on,” he elaborated.

Following their defeat within the fourth Take a look at in Ranchi, England suffered their first collection defeat within the ‘Bazball’ period [Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as coach]. Stokes, nevertheless, asserted that wanting past the rating line they’ve undoubtedly made progress within the collection.

“At 3-1, you suppose it isn’t been a hit however I take a look at it with fully totally different angles to that and I feel we have now undoubtedly progressed as a crew regardless that we have not received the outcomes we needed. You recognize, 3-2 sounds higher than 3-1 or 4-1 and that is clearly what we wish to do,” the England captain mentioned.

“It is not labored out that means when it comes to outcomes however we have now received one final push right here which is nice on the finish of a protracted tour while you play 5 video games. It is a terrific floor to do it at and a number of Barmy Military are coming in to assist us this week. So, very excited,” the cricketer additional commented.

The England captain additionally candidly admitted that barring the primary Take a look at in Hyderabad, which the guests received, India have achieved higher within the crunch moments and therefore the outcomes have gone their means.

“The factor I look again on is when the sport has been within the steadiness, India have been higher than us in these moments on a couple of event,” he mentioned.

The Dharamsala match will mark the one centesimal Take a look at for each Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow.

–By A Cricket Correspondent