IND vs ENG 1st Test: "I think he's good to go" - Brendon McCullum gives update on Ben Stokes

England head coach Brendon McCullum is hopeful that England captain Ben Stokes will play in the upcoming first Test against India in Hyderabad. McCullum also said that the veteran all-rounder looked fit in training and he also felt that Stokes was ‘good to go’. However, Stokes underwent surgery on his knee that forced him to leave the action in the 2023 World Cup as well. Moreover, he also faced a tight rehab slated to get himself ready for the opening Test of the series.

Speaking at a press conference, McCullum said: “He looks like a greyhound. He’s put the work in, everyone knows his work ethic is phenomenal. I’ve seen him running around and I think he’s good to go. We’ll obviously make that call as late as what we need to. But he’s put all the work in, and we’ll just have to wait and see.”

The veteran also opened up on Harry Brook’s withdrawal, saying that the team’s support was with him as he flew back to be with his family during a tough time a swell. He also gave the hint that he could return at a later stage in the series as well.

“Obviously our thoughts are with Harry and his family, it’s a tough time. It’s a privileged position to play cricket for a living but some things are more important than that. We wish him all the best and hopefully the next little period for Brooky is as comfortable as it possibly can be. There’s a chance he may return later in the tour but for now we just want him to be with his family and do his thing,” he again shared.

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However, England will miss Brook’s services in the middle order, given the stellar series he had in Pakistan in 2022 as well. The board announced Dan Lawrence as his replacement for the series. McCullum also said that the series will be a true test of their skills and temperament against a strong Indian team on their soil.

“That’s what I love about this series – we are going to be tested, and our methods are going to be challenged and we’ll see where we are at. In the end, all you’re trying to do is get guys in the frame of mind where they’re totally present in the moment, they feel 10 foot tall and bulletproof when they walk out to play. Then it’s allowing their skills and their talents to come out, make quick assessments of what they need to do in the moment,” he further added.

“We’ve got to take 20 wickets with the ball in each Test match and we’ve got to get one more run than them with the bat. It’s not rocket science but it will be the nuances of the game, when to stick and when to twist which will be the fascinating part,” Brendon McCullum concluded.