I forget I’m getting old: Ben Stokes

After playing a limited role with the ball during the Ashes series, Ben Stokes has explained how important it is for him to play as an all-rounder.

The England captain’s left knee has been a problem for years but it has gradually worsened to the extent that he could not even walk comfortably during the Test match in Wellington.

Ben Stokes He has bowled only 29 overs in this Ashes series but has not bowled a single ball since the second Test at Lord’s where he bowled a spell of 12 overs. But he admitted that if he had stopped earlier, he might not have done it again.

‘Yes, it’s important to be an all-rounder,’ Stokes said after restoring the team’s balance in the absence of England’s bowling.

‘It’s something I’ve done since I was a kid. The desire to be involved in sports is something that has helped to bring out the best in myself.

“I said after the match in Wellington that it’s been disappointing in the last few years that I haven’t been able to make the impact and play the role that I’ve played in the last 10 years,” he said.

‘So obviously that’s something I want to do and hopefully get it sorted out. I forget I’m getting older every day.’

After the Ashes series, there is a break in Stokes’ schedule until the tour of India in the New Year and that could provide a real opportunity to try to sort out his left knee problem.

England have made no changes for The Oval since the Old Trafford Test but there has been some criticism of James Anderson’s inclusion.

Anderson has defied all odds to still play cricket at the age of 41 on Sunday, but his performance in the series has been below his usual standard.

The fast bowler has taken four wickets at 76.47 but Stokes has no doubts about his place in the team.

He said, ‘Almost 700 Test wickets is extraordinary and it is also remarkable to do so worldwide. Everyone has an opinion on such things and my opinion is that James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to ever play the game.’

“I mean he’s not bowling badly, he hasn’t got the reward he deserves,” the England captain added. He is still showing an incredible economy rate in this series, unfortunately he is not getting the wickets to show for it.’

‘We know what Jimmy does, he connects an end, even if it’s not his priority, he just works very tirelessly with his line and length. I think he is unlucky.

“The number of times he has gone through the bat, either someone has given an edge at fourth slip or there is an edge under it,” he said.

‘I feel disappointed for him and he gets frustrated when he doesn’t make that impact. But he’s still bowling like Jimmy Anderson, he just hasn’t got the rewards he usually gets.’