Ben Stokes played down fears over his fitness before the Ashes after England wrapped up victory over Ireland by 10 wickets inside three days without him batting or bowling at Lord’s.
Stokes declared with England on 524 for four on day two to ensure he was not required with the bat and after struggling with his left knee since it flared up during the New Zealand series in February, he did not bowl on the first day or day three of this one-off Test either.
England’s captain had not made any contribution to the scorecard until he caught Curtis Campher off Joe Root during Saturday’s morning session, but the grimace on his face and subsequent hobble to join his team-mates in celebration sent alarm bells ringing ahead of the Ashes opener on June 16.
But Stokes revealed: “I bowled this morning (in the nets) for the first time in four weeks and I felt really good. I was real happy with how I bowled.
“I bowled for about 20 minutes and I got through that really well. Obviously I have got time to build up before I push back into flat out but I just landed quite awkwardly when I took that catch.
“I didn’t quite see it so had to adjust myself and landed on my left leg. It twisted in a really strange way but it was fine, I just don’t know what really happened.
“It was one of those things, but I am 32 tomorrow so that probably explains it.
“Matty Potts sent me a screenshot this morning saying I was on track from 1931 to be the first captain not to score a run, take a wicket or take a catch and that was my team talk this morning.
“Unfortunately one came straight to me. It is another record we’re looking to break!”
While Stokes was in a jovial mood after England clinched a 10-wicket victory over Ireland with a day to spare, it had been a frustrating first two sessions on day three.
Harry Tector (51) and Lorcan Tucker (44) combined to help Ireland add 118 runs for the loss of only three wickets before lunch and the run rate increased to ensure the tourists eventually impressively avoided an innings defeat.
Tail-enders Mark Adair and Andy McBrine joined forces to produce a record 163-run partnership for Ireland in Test cricket but the duo could not pass three figures.
Adair was bounced out for 88 and McBrine left stranded unbeaten on 86 when Graham Hume was bowled to leave Ireland on 362 for nine but with opener James McCollum unable to bat following his twisted ankle on Friday.
“No, we won the game so, yeah, never hard to be disappointed with winning a game,” Stokes insisted when quizzed on if Ireland’s fightback took the shine off an 11th victory in 13 Tests since Brendon McCullum took over.
“The game could have ended up finishing a lot earlier than what it did but they showed some really good grit and determination so fair play to them.”
Nevertheless, Josh Tongue’s five-wicket haul on debut helped England start the Ashes summer with an emphatic victory and saw his name go up on the Lord’s honours board.
Stokes added: “The first time I actually met Tonguey was the start of this week when we got together so he must think I am a pretty good bloke giving him his Test debut!
“He was very unlucky in the first innings not to get a wicket but he definitely reaped the rewards and the way he bowled contributed to the five wickets he got in this innings because they were already on the back foot against him, knowing he had that extra bit of pace.
“He can bowl 90mph full and short so he was one step ahead in the second innings because of the way he bowled in the first innings.”
Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie was proud of his team’s fight on day three and revealed how close injured opener McCollum came to walking out after tea before Hume’s dismissal left McBrine still 14 runs away from his century.
“James had the pads on, he padded up and had the boot on, so it was all a bit chaotic in there,” Balbirnie explained.
“Andy actually came in at tea and said he didn’t want James to bat because they are good mates and he was a bit sore.
“He really didn’t want him to hobble out in the boot. Eventually it was agreed if Andy was one hit away, he would go out and just hold up an end. It was chaos.”
Sherfane Rutherford departs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Sherfane Rutherford has announced his departure from the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for the remainder of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) due to personal reasons. The Patriots, who have struggled throughout the season, will name a replacement for Rutherford in the coming days as they look to bolster their squad.
Rutherford's exit leaves a significant gap in the Patriots’ lineup, as the all-rounder was a key player for the team. His departure adds to the Patriots’ challenges as they aim to improve their standing in the tournament. With his hard-hitting ability and useful contributions with the ball, the Patriots will be eager to find a capable replacement soon.
Allen the hero as Falcons pull off stunning victory over SKN Patriots
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons pulled off a stunning two wicket victory over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots with just two balls to spare in a tense match at the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
After winning the toss and inserting the opposition, the Falcons restricted the Patriots to 153-8 off their 20 overs. Mohammad Amir picked up three wickets for the Falcons and Mikyle Louis starring with the bat for the Patriots.
Louis’ lusty order lower order hitting ensured 33 runs were scored off the last few overs as he cruised to 63 runs off just 36 balls, including seven sixes. A target of 153 was a success of sorts for the home side after they were earlier reeling at 60-4 in the ninth over.
In response, the Falcons seemed to be hauling in the target without too many alarms, Brandon King and Justin Greaves striking their way to 55 before King fell in the fifth over – trapped in front of the stumps by the pace of Anrich Nortje. From then on the plain sailing was over as the Falcons lost regular wickets and the match remained too close to call.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the main architect of the damage with the ball for the visitors, the Sri Lankan all-rounder’s leg-breaks and assorted varieties posing a constant threat. Justin Greaves, Sam Billings, the dangerous Jewel Andrew and Shamar Springer were all pocketed by Hasaranga in a devastating period of top-quality spin bowling.
At 110-7 when Billings departed the scene, it looked as if the Falcons’ wings had been clipped and that the duel was going the way of the Patriots. Roshon Primus and Imad Wasim combined effectively to hit the gaps in the field and take every single run on offer in order to eke their way closer to the target. With three overs to go the Falcons required 22 runs to win with three wickets in hand.
Dominic Drakes was summoned into the attack and bowled a frugal over that was hit for just six runs to leave the equation as 15 runs needed from 12 balls. Primus was then caught off backward point off Nortje as the pendulum swung towards Patriots in the penultimate over.
With 11 runs needed from the final over, Fabian Allen stole the game at the last for the Falcons, smiting consecutive Drakes short balls for six and four into the leg side and scampering the single needed for victory with two balls remaining.
Imad Wasim was named Player of the Match for his 17 not out and 2-24 with the ball as the victory took the Falcons to third in the table and left the Patriots bottom of the table after suffering their fifth defeat on the bounce.
Sri Lanka close in on victory despite Smith flurry
Sri Lanka enjoyed a profitable third day at The Oval, with the tourists in a strong position to win their final Test against England despite Jamie Smith's efforts.
The day started well for England. Dhananjaya de Silva (69) and Kamindu Mendis (64) had steered Sri Lanka into an excellent place at stumps on Saturday, though the duo did not last too long in Sunday's first session.
It took just 11 more overs for England to rattle through Sri Lanka's tail as they were bowled out for 263, 62 short of the hosts' first innings total.
Yet England were skittled out for 156 in the space of just 34 overs.
Dan Lawrence plundered 35 runs from as many balls, but he was the only player in England's top order to score more than 12, and it needed a flurry from wicketkeeper Smith to dig Brendan McCullum's team out of a real hole.
Smith smashed 67 from 50 deliveries, with his knock including 10 fours and one six, before he picked out Kusal Mendis with the final ball of the second session.
Lahiru Kumara (4-12) was the pick of Sri Lanka's bowlers, and he sent Olly Stone packing after tea, prior to Shoaib Bashir succumbing after debutant Josh Hull struck a huge six.
Chasing 219 to win, Sri Lanka's openers swiftly set about the pace, and though Dimuth Karunaratne was caught and bowled by Chris Woakes, Pathum Nissanka (53 not out) and Kusal Mendis (30) ensured the tourists will go into day four requiring just 125.
Data Debrief: England's Oval record on the rocks and Root is forced to wait
Sri Lanka are on the brink of just their fourth Test win in England, having previously won at Headingley, Trent Bride and The Oval, where England have won five of their last six five-day matches, only going down to India in 2021 in that run.
That record looks shaky, while Joe Root, having only managed 12 runs to add to his 13 from the first innings, will not be able to reach 1,000 overall in Tests in 2024 on home soil.
He is now on 986, but will have to wait until at least October, for England's Tour of Pakistan, to equal Alastair Cook as the English player to have hit 1,000 runs in a calendar year on the most occasions (five), after previously doing so in 2022, 2021, 2016 and 2015.
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