Ben Stokes has declared himself fit for England’s crunch World Cup clash against South Africa on Saturday after missing the first three games of the tournament with a hip complaint.<\/p>\n
Stokes, who has come out of ODI retirement to try and help his country successfully defend the title they won on home soil in 2019, sat out the nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand, 137-run victory over Bangladesh, and then the 69-run loss to Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
But the 32-year-old is now set to return in Mumbai at the weekend, saying he is in a “good place” two days out from the match.<\/p>\n
\n Saturday 21st October 9:00am
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Speaking to BBC Radio’s Test Match Special<\/em>, Stokes said: “It was a frustrating little niggle to get before the tournament but I have worked very hard to get back to where I am and making myself ready to be available for selection.<\/p>\n “We have had a few days off since the last game and first training session here in Mumbai. I’ll give it a good push but, yes, I think everything is pretty good. I am in a good place.”<\/p>\n England head coach Matthew Mott called Stokes the side’s “spiritual leader” earlier this week and the player’s return would stiffen a middle order that was ripped through by Afghanistan last Sunday.<\/p>\n Asked about coping with the expectation placed upon him, Stokes said: “I deal with it pretty easy, to be honest, because I know I am one person in a team sport. No one looks to one person in this team to inspire them or anything like that.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n England World Cup fixtures<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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