‘Team is yet to play its best game’, says Ben Stokes

Ahead of the semi-final clash with India in the ongoing T20 World Cup England all-rounder Ben Stokes made a statement and said the England team is yet to play at its best game.

While speaking at the press conference in Adelaide Stokes talked about the preparations ahead of the semi-final clash.

“We have not played our best game so far but we have reached here and improved game by game to be here. Preparations are all about doing the same stuff again and again, getting into the game, and making sure that you have done everything that you need to do, to win the game,” Stokes said.

Talking about difficulties and challenges faced by players on different grounds England’s test captain said, “Would love to see what the wicket is like on Thursday. It’s about adapting and assessing whatever the situation presents. Adelaide is different from the grounds that we have played on, with different dimensions. We have played on grounds with bigger square boundaries, where we have looked to get the batters hit to the long boundaries but here we will have to change our plans a bit.”

“In terms of big-game situations, I like to just look at the scoreboard and try and simplify the game to take the pressure off,” the player said talking about handling the pressure.

Meanwhile, Stokes also talked about the team’s chances of going ahead in the World Cup and also praised team India’s performance.

“I hope so. We have two games to win and first up against a very strong India lineup whom no one will ever take lightly. We are a team who likes to focus on ourselves and not think too much about the opposition. Just did what needed to be done. The situation was not too much of an ask, it was just run a ball to get, the wicket was slowing down so I assessed that I need to be there till the end and get the job done. It will be great for the people in India and Pakistan. But I honestly don’t know. We are here to win and play our best game,” Stokes said.

“He is being looked after and monitored on a day-to-day basis so I don’t have any updates or news about him,” Stokes informed.

However, on Thursday the semi-final match will take place between England and India at the Adelaide Oval.