Ben Stokes Downplays Significance of 100th Test

Ben Stokes is set to become the 16th English cricketer to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches when he steps onto the field this Thursday. This significant event coincides with the ongoing ICC World Test Championship series, currently tied at 1-1.

“The number 100 is just that – a number,” Stokes commented during a pre-match interview.

He continued, “I don’t want to seem ungrateful for the opportunities I’ve had, but with milestones like this, it’s not over until it’s over.”

Stokes scored an impressive 84 from 76 in his most recent innings.

Since his Test debut in 2013, Stokes has become a key player for England across all formats. He boasts over 6000 runs and nearly 200 wickets in Test cricket.

“Every Test is just as important as the next,” Stokes stated. “Whether it’s my 99th, 100th, or 101st, it doesn’t make much difference.”

New Zealand currently leads the #WTC25 standings after their victory in the first #NZvSA Test. Read more here.

Stokes, known for his all-round capabilities, has been unable to bowl recently due to a chronic knee injury. Despite this, he has been practicing in the nets ahead of the third Test. It remains to be seen whether he will bowl in Rajkot, as England has named two other fast bowlers in their lineup.

“I’ve been bowling little and often in training,” Stokes revealed, adding that he bowled three overs at about 70% intensity in the nets ahead of the Test.

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“We don’t have a set plan for my bowling intensity. It’s based on how I feel at the time, and I try not to get too far ahead of myself. My body needs to adjust to bowling again, and this was another step forward,” Stokes concluded.