ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Joe Root provides update on Ben Stokes' fitness

Joe Root is hopeful of Ben Stokes' comeback in next few games.

After coming out of retirement for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, English all-rounder Ben Stokes has failed to get a game in the mega event. Stokes has been suffering from a niggle on his hip that ruled him out of the first two games, and his name is missing from England's playing XI against Afghanistan as well. England are taking on Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi. England didn’t have a great start to their World Cup campaign.

England are a little worried about their star all-rounder’s fitness as he is left out once again. Earlier, against Bangladesh, English skipper Jos Buttler informed the reporters that Stokes was improving and had begun practicing as well. England’s key middle-order batter, Joe Root, has seen some good signs in Ben Stokes’ recovery. Root also believed that playing Stokes against Afghanistan would be too soon for him.

Root updates about Stokes

Talking about Ben Stokes' comeback, English middle-order batter Joe Root said, “Ben seems to be getting better day by day; he’s trained really well, he’s had a bat and seems to be improving.” Root believed that making him play Afghanistan may aggravate his injury, and possibly this could prove a negative in England’s campaign for the upcoming game. Stokes requires a certain amount of time to make his World Cup comeback.

English middle-order batter Joe Root also said that any team that has Ben Stokes on it is automatically stronger. Root added, “They are all good signs. As we all know, any team with Ben in it is a lot stronger, but he’s got to be fit to play.” English fans are eagerly waiting for their star to turn up before England’s key matches in the 2023 World Cup. He played a massive role in England’s 2019 World Cup-winning campaign.

England had a poor start to the World Cup 2023 as they lost the tournament opener against New Zealand played at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Later on in Dharamshala, England defeated Bangladesh by a huge margin. England’s next few games will be crucial, and they will be hoping for Stokes' comeback. They will be playing South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, and Australia in their next four games.