Ben Stokes is pushing hard to fulfil his pledge of bowling in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Friday, with the England captain to decide whether to hit Australia with the pace of Mark Wood or the experience of Stuart Broad.
Stokes has been stepping up his return to the dual role of all-rounder, sending down roughly 12 balls in the middle during a training session on Tuesday as he seeks to overcome the chronic left knee tendinitis that has restricted him this year.
With Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson expected to come back and share the new ball after missing the Ireland Test with niggles – and high temperatures in Birmingham likely to necessitate a spinner in the returning Moeen Ali – the final selection call appears a choice between either Wood or Broad.
How much Stokes is able to bowl may dictate this, with Wood’s pace deployed in shorter spells and Broad, though 36, potentially offering more overs. Facing an Australia side buoyant after becoming world Test champions, as well as victorious at Edgbaston four years ago, it may well set the tone.
All eyes will be on Stokes at nets on Wednesday, with the all-rounder likely to increase his workload after an initial spell in the middle 24 hours earlier when his knee was heavily strapped. The 32-year-old was the only England batter to have two stints in the nets, seemingly keen to increase his volume after not facing a ball during the Ireland mismatch.
There is growing expectation that Stokes will name his XI after training on Wednesday, two days out from the toss. This has been the default under his captaincy, Stokes and the head coach, Brendon McCullum, ever keen to ensure those playing have plenty of notice.
Australia, meanwhile, are toying with the idea of an unchanged XI from their 209-run victory against India, with Josh Hazlewood the only possible addition should the experienced right-armer prove his fitness in the next two days following side soreness.
