England Captain Ben Stokes Rules Out Lions Ahead India Test Series After Bowling Return

England captain Ben Stokes expressed satisfaction with his fitness and performance following England's comprehensive win over Zimbabwe in a one-off Test, marking his return to competitive cricket after a hamstring injury and surgery. Despite initially considering playing for the England Lions to gain more game time, Stokes decided against it, feeling confident with both his batting and bowling after bowling 11.2 overs and taking three wickets in the Zimbabwe match. He emphasized the importance of rest ahead of the demanding upcoming Test series against India and the Ashes against Australia. Stokes praised the strong performances of teammates Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Ben Duckett, highlighting their critical roles in the team's success. His bowling spells were seen as a significant confidence boost, with Stokes describing this as the best he has felt in a long time. The victory and Stokes' fitness update provide optimism for England as they prepare for their challenging international schedule.