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[Watch] Ben Stokes Bowls Spin In England Nets Ahead Of India Clash

image-lo9uyatnBen Stokes (Twitter)

Speculations are rife on Ben Stokes' availability to bowl at the ICC World Cup 2023 after a clip of England's premier allrounder and match-winner bowling spin in the nets went viral on the eve of the clash against India in Lucknow this Sunday (October 29). 

Stokes, who made his comeback from a sore hip with the league match against Sri Lanka in Bangalore on Thursday (October 26), was seen rolling his arms over for gentle off-spin in the English nets ahead of the must-win encounter versus India. 

In a clip that has caught the fans' attention, the tall cricketer is seen bringing his off-spin bowling to the fore to help English batters with their practice duties before taking on the mighty Indian attack on a tricky pitch at the Ekana Stadium.

Stokes has gotten cricket lovers wondering if he could be bowling spin instead of pace to make sure he gives Jos Buttler-led side an extra option in their heated face-off against the tournament hosts after being confined to a specialist batter amidst injury concerns by medical staff and England physio. 

Ben Stokes Bowls Off-Spin In England Nets 

At a training session in Lucknow, Stokes joined England's spinners for the match-up with India on a spin-friendly venue. He was seen backing up experienced off-spinner Moeen Ali and lead wristspinner Adil Rashid in one of the nets at England batters. 

While bowling full-tilt as a right-arm medium quick is out of the equation right now amidst worries over his hip injury, Stokes seems prepared to still roll his arms over if required by Buttler & company. 

It could just be that Stokes was free of his batting duties and thus wanted to help his teammates with some gentle off-spin. Or the net session could act as a prelude to him bowling spin at the highest level for the first time while still ensuring he doesn't bog down fatigued and worsen his injury. 

Either way, it was nice viewing for cricket lovers to witness the lionhearted cricketer trying to revive his bowling self, albeit in the capacity of a spinner in England's pursuit to get back in the competition. The Three Lions take on India after losing three successive games and stand on the brink of elimination from the World Cup.