Ben Stokes on Dharamsala surface

As they’ve executed so typically lately, England named their taking part in XI for the Dharamsala Take a look at a day forward of the sport. The guests made one change to their group – quick bowler Mark Wooden changing Ollie Robinson.

Talking a pre-match press convention, Stokes defined that they took a choice on the taking part in XI based mostly on the floor on provide. Dharamsala is colder than different occasions at this level of the yr. Nonetheless, with no grass on the floor, the batters may take pleasure in themselves.

“Earlier than we even acquired right here, we had been most likely considering it was going to be a 3 seamer one spinner assault however then after we noticed the wicket after which noticed it once more in the present day, I believe going with two seamers and two spinners might be the proper name,” Stokes mentioned.

“We felt there would most likely a bit extra grass on the wicket simply due to the place we’re however general the wicket seems to be an absolute belter. So taking part in two seamers and nonetheless having Bash (Shoaib Bashir) and Tom (Hartley) provides us an excellent combination if you find yourself somewhat bit uncertain of what it would do because the Take a look at goes on,” he elaborated.

Following their defeat within the fourth Take a look at in Ranchi, England suffered their first sequence defeat within the ‘Bazball’ period [Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as coach]. Stokes, nonetheless, asserted that wanting past the rating line they’ve undoubtedly made progress within the sequence.

“At 3-1, you assume it isn’t been a hit however I take a look at it with fully totally different angles to that and I believe now we have undoubtedly progressed as a group although we have not acquired the outcomes we needed. You realize, 3-2 sounds higher than 3-1 or 4-1 and that is clearly what we need to do,” the England captain mentioned.

“It is not labored out that manner when it comes to outcomes however now we have acquired one final push right here which is nice on the finish of a protracted tour whenever you play 5 video games. It is an incredible floor to do it at and numerous Barmy Military are coming in to help us this week. So, very excited,” the cricketer additional commented.

The England captain additionally candidly admitted that barring the primary Take a look at in Hyderabad, which the guests received, India have executed higher within the crunch moments and therefore the outcomes have gone their manner.

“The factor I look again on is when the sport has been within the stability, India have been higher than us in these moments on a couple of event,” he mentioned.

The Dharamsala match will mark the a centesimal Take a look at for each Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow.

–By A Cricket Correspondent