Ben Stokes ends IPL with only one win as Ash injury concerns persist

Ben Stokes was only allowed to play one shot for CSK in the 2023 IPL. Credit: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images

Ben Stokes is unlikely to feature again for the remainder of the Indian Premier League season, raising fears of England attacking bowling ahead of the Ashes Series.

Stokes, who won 194 test wickets with an average of 32.10, the IPL has only scored one goal this season. Stephen Fleming, Stokes IPL Chennai Super Kings franchise coach, said Stokes bowling remains «a bit of a challenge». Telegraph Sport understands that if the Stokes are selected, they are unlikely to play in the Chennai Championship final of the season on Saturday.

While Chennai are set to play in the IPL playoffs, the Stokes will return home to England. The Test captain had always planned to leave India after the group stage, allowing him to rest and prepare for a one-off test against Ireland on 1 June. The match will be Stokes' only top-notch game between the second Test in New Zealand, which ended on February 28, and the start of the Ashes.

England remain hopeful that Stokes can play a full role with the ball against Ireland and in five Test matches against Australia. But despite ongoing knee concerns, Stokes only scored 44 overs in five Tests in England last winter and only nine in two Tests in New Zealand.

During a thrilling 2-2 draw in Ash's 2019 series, Stokes hit 95.1 overs in the series, including 24.2 overs in the second inning at Headingley as he capped England's goal of 359 before bringing the hosts home with a remarkable 135 does not come out. As a bowler, Stokes has long had a knack for taking wickets with an old ball on level ground — periods when the rest of the attack can struggle. » /> Ben Stokes' 2019 Headingley marathon game paved the way for his heroic second-inning strikes in England. Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

"The top priority for me is to make sure that I can fulfill my role as the fourth sailor in the Ashes" Stokes said last month. "I've had some good conversations with people who are hired to look after us, physically. I said I would do my best while I was in India to make sure that when we got to the Ashes I would give myself the best opportunity to play my part.

Jofra Archer and Ollie Stone have already been excluded from the start of the test summer in England. There are also concerns about James Anderson, whose fitness is under scrutiny after suffering a groin strain, while Brydon Carse, who is likely to make the England Test team if fit, was scanned after suffering what Durham called & #34;Injury to the torso". England will announce their squad against Ireland this week.

Mark Wood, who has scored 11 wickets in four IPL games, has returned to the UK while his wife is expecting a baby. Wood performed well in the 2021/22 Ashes, taking 17 wickets, including six of 37 in Hobart.

If Stokes fails to fully play the ball as the fourth scorer of the summer test matches, this could lead to discussions about the balance of the England team. During his captaincy, Stokes strongly supported left hand spinner Jack Leach, who played in all 12 Tests in his full-time reign and took 41 wickets. But if England thought they needed four front mops and Stokes couldn't play the ball properly, then that could lead to discussion of Leach's place, especially if the summer is damp.