Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison believes that star all-rounder Ben Stokes should return home from the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 to prepare for the Test series against India, beginning in late January 2024.
England’s title defence ended on a bitter note after Australia bowled them out short of the target of 287 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday.
The star all-rounder earlier revealed that he will undergo knee surgery to cure a problem that has regularly hindered his performance on the field of cricket and hopes to return for their tour of India at the beginning of next year.
“I will hopefully be fine for the Test series against India. I am having surgery after the World Cup. There was a lot of time put into deciding when to get it done. The 2019 champions have two games left in their campaign, and their qualifying for the next ICC Champions Trophy is in jeopardy. Harmison wants England to exhibit “strong leadership” and end Stokes’ tournament early, with only the Netherlands and Pakistan remaining. “I am amazed Ben is still in the country; I don’t see any point in him being there. I’m sure that conversation has been had, but it needs strong leadership. It needs someone to say, ‘Ben, you’re going home. Here’s a ticket; there’s the plane; get on it,’” Harmison said. “I think Rob Key, as director of cricket, should probably take that decision, and if I was (Test coach) Brendon McCullum, I’d be doing everything I could to encourage him. I’ve got a good relationship with Ben, and I know for a fact he won’t thank me for saying this, but I’m saying it because it’s what is best for the England cricket team. It’s common sense,” he added.
