Former England captain <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/icc-world-cup-2023-many-english-players-are-undercooked-michael-atherton-23314780" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Michael Atherton</a> believes talismanic all-rounder <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/icc-world-cup-2023-stokes-to-return-for-sa-clash-at-wankhede-23315366" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Ben Stokes</a> has to play in Saturday&rsquo;s match against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium if he&rsquo;s fit to take the field.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/icc-world-cup-2023-pandya-ruled-out-of-clash-against-kiwis-23315602" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">ICC World Cup 2023: Pandya ruled out of clash against Kiwis</a>
Stokes, the Test skipper, has come out of ODI retirement to help England defend the ODI World Cup title they won in 2019 on home soil. But he is yet to make an appearance due to a hip injury as England won against Bangladesh, but lost to New Zealand and Afghanistan.
&ldquo;Our understanding was that Stokes was very close to fitness for the Afghanistan game but that England were being understandably cautious. He now has to play against South Africa if he is fit. He is right that he is not the messiah, he can&rsquo;t just turn it around himself, but he is a very big presence and England are a better team with him in it. The last time he played in ODI cricket, he got England&rsquo;s highest score [182 against New Zealand at The Oval last month],&rdquo; said Atherton.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
 <script async="async" data-cfasync="false" src="//pl23789885.revenuecpmgate.com/7445444aea29efc3d061cbd866026c06/invoke.js"></script>
 <div id="container-7445444aea29efc3d061cbd866026c06"></div>

But he is yet to make an appearance due to a hip injury as England won against Bangladesh, but lost to New Zealand and Afghanistan

ICC World Cup 2023: Stokes must play if he is fit, says Atherton

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / ICC World Cup 2023: Stokes must play if he is fit, says Atherton

ICC World Cup 2023: Stokes must play if he is fit, says Atherton

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast