Stokes aims to restore England’s Test peak

LONDON: Ben Stokes is desperate to inspire England back to the pinnacle of Test cricket, saying the team has “slacked off” in the past two years, slipping to fifth in the world rankings. The 26-year-old all-rounder returned to international cricket in February against New Zealand but could not prevent a 1-0 defeat for the tourists to extend a miserable run that has seen England win just one Test series overseas since 2012.

Stokes missed his side’s 4-0 Ashes humbling after being suspended from playing for England over a nightclub incident and admitted he was “gutted” to watch his teammates struggling in Australia.

Just two years ago England were one Test win away from holding all nine bilateral Test trophies but were denied as Pakistan won at the Oval and squared the series. New Zealand-born Stokes said he had accepted the decision of coach Trevor Bayliss not to reinstate him as vice-captain for the New Zealand series.

Stokes, currently playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray over the nightclub incident that forced him out of the Ashes tour. He looks set to miss the second Test against India at Lord’s, with his trial set for August 6.