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[Watch] Nasser Hussain Speaks On Ben Stokes Dilemma In England’s WC 2023 Squad

image-lo7h7td3Ben Stokes during a World Cup 2023 training session (AP)

England, under Jos Buttler, endured their fourth defeat of the 2023 World Cup and their third in succession by coming up short against an injury-ravaged Sri Lankan side in Bengaluru. Their batting line-up crumbled for just 156, a total easily overhauled by Sri Lanka with nearly half their overs still intact in the game.

The latest defeat meant England slipped further down to number nine on the World Cup 2023 points table, tendering all their remaining four fixtures must-win ones for them for a potential top-four finish.

England’s 2019 World Cup hero Ben Stokes, who was asked to revoke his ODI retirement by Jos Buttler for the team’s title defence, is yet to fully recover to operator as an all-rounder. 

The cricketer has not rolled his arm to offer his services as a bowler for a while and has been featuring in the playing XI solely as a middle-order batsman.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes Stokes’ inclusion is undoubtedly justified given his match-winning persona but also talked about the risks involved with his presence merely as a batsman.

Nasser Hussain addresses Ben Stokes dilemma

After England’s defeat to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, former captain and active World Cup 2023 commentator Nasser Hussain stated a player of Ben Stokes’ calibre should definitely be included in the team, even if he is half-fit.

While speaking for Sky Sports Cricket, he also addressed the complications that come with a forced inclusion as such, considering he is not fully operating with the all-round skills that won England the 2019 World Cup at home and the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.

Watch: Nasser Hussain talks about Ben Stokes inclusion

With three morale-denting defeats on the trot, England will now aim to rejuvenate their battered World Cup 2023 campaign with better outcomes in the coming fixtures.

They will now face an unbeaten Indian unit on October 29. The much-awaited contest will be played out at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.