Ben Stokes, England’s captain, claims he does not know the limit of what his team is capable of doing as they attempt to extend their impressive form into the two-Test series in New Zealand.
England has won nine of its last ten Tests in dramatic ways.
The first day-night Test against the Black Caps begins on Thursday at 01:00 GMT in Mount Maunganui.
The all-rounder told BBC Sport,
“It’s gone well, and we’ll attempt to implement the same strategies.”
“We will attempt to entertain those who come to watch us as well as those who stay up late at home.
“I hope we can approach this match with the same mindset and philosophy as the previous 10 Tests.”
In June, England successfully chased 299 in 50 overs on the final day of the second Test against New Zealand, before chasing an English record 378 to defeat India at Edgbaston.
On the first day of the first Test against Pakistan in December in Rawalpindi, they scored 506-4, paving the way for a historic 3-0 series victory.
Stokes responded when asked how far his team can push their aggressive style: “This is a good question to which I cannot respond because I do not know the answer. Who can say where this group can go?”
Stuart Broad was reinstated to the England XI after missing the Pakistan tour due to the birth of his daughter, a decision Stokes described as “quite straightforward.”
“There wasn’t much of a second thought when selecting the team with Broady present,” stated Stokes.
Blair Tickner, 29, will make his Test debut for New Zealand after Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry was ruled out earlier in the week.
Jacob Duffy or Scott Kuggeleijn, who joined the Black Caps team on Tuesday night to add pace bowling depth, might also make their debut.
Trent Boult, who is fourth on their all-time list of Test wicket-takers but resigned from his central contract last year, has not been called up by the home team.
Even though New Zealand is in a state of emergency due to Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact on the country’s northern region, the match will go on as scheduled.
Mount Maunganui was spared from the worst of the storm. On Monday and Tuesday, the teams were allowed to conduct net sessions, and on Wednesday, they practiced in glorious sunshine.
Stokes stated, “Thank goodness there was a tent over the nets, so we were able to train.” “The cyclone has hindered preparations, but when you consider the damage it has caused, there are far more pressing matters than assembling a Test team.”
England has not won a Test in New Zealand since 2008 when they won the series 2-0. They drew 0-0 in 2013 before losing 1-0 in 2018 and again in 2019.
This series is not a part of the World Test Championship, the final of which England, despite their great form, cannot reach.
Stokes took over as captain following England’s 17-match losing streak in Tests. Despite the turnaround in results and the manner in which they were achieved, the captain does not believe that his squad is playing under the weight of expectation.
The 31-year-old stated, “I don’t go out there thinking about preserving that, but rather sustaining our style of play.” “If you play excellent cricket, it will determine the outcome.
“Regardless of how you attempt to operate in a Test, if you don’t play to your desired strengths, you will likely not succeed.”
England’s revolution and the development of their swashbuckling style began with a 3-0 series victory over New Zealand at the beginning of last summer.
Since then, the Black Caps have lost both Boult and Colin de Grandhomme, an all-rounder who has retired from international cricket.
In December, Kane Williamson stood aside as Test captain and was replaced by Tim Southee, who will lead in his maiden home match.
“It’s a tremendous challenge to play against a team that has been playing excellent cricket,” Southee said.
“I am quite thrilled for the upcoming Test matches. It is always something to look forward to, as it is always played in excellent spirits, and the teams get along really well. The lads had been looking forward to this series.”
Also Read: Simon Sinek Motivating Speech On Wife, Relationship
