Ashes 2023: Ben Stokes to play as specialist batter in fifth Test

England came back strongly in the ongoing Ashes after losing the first two Tests. The hosts won a thrilling encounter in Leeds before dominating the Manchester Test for the first three days. However, the weather played spoilsport on days four and five as Ben Stokes' men had to settle for a draw. The Ashes is poised at 2-1 in favour of Australia, who have already retained the coveted urn.

The fifth Test will be played at the Kennington Oval in London, beginning July 27. England will be looking to finish off on a high. However, their captain Ben Stokes will not be bowling in this encounter. The experienced campaigner has played only a minor role with the ball in the highly-anticipated series. He bowled a strenuous 12-over spell at Lord's in the second Test and has not rolled his arm since. At Headingley, during the third Test, Stokes admitted that he was no longer able to perform his bowling duties.

On Wednesday, the 32-year-old revealed that he may have to consider surgery on his long-standing left-knee injury, which has stopped him from playing his role of an all-rounder for England on many occasions.

"It's something I obviously want to get sorted. The times in which I've seen specialists and stuff like that, there has been cricket around. So, as it's been manageable, we've just cracked on," Stokes was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"But I think that is a good time to have some serious conversations with medics around what is potentially something I could do to get a role in which I can bowl without having to worry about my knee. Those are conversations we will be able to have in that time off."

Wanting to be involved with the game is something that's got the best out of myself: Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has played a stellar role as a batter in the ongoing Ashes. He has amassed 360 runs in seven innings at an average of 51.42, with the help of two fifties and a swashbuckling century at Lord's. However, the stalwart wants to get back to bowling as it helps him stay involved in the game, which in turn, helps him to bring out his best.

"It's something I've done since I was a kid. Wanting to be involved with the game is something that's got the best out of myself," Stokes concluded.