Big-time Ben Stokes backed to deliver at T20 World Cup when it matters

Last week’s surprise defeat to Ireland has left England realistically needing victory in Brisbane this morning to keep their tournament hopes alive.

And while all-round talisman Stokes has failed to shine with the bat in five matches since his T20 return – averaging 10.25 – he has been useful with the ball and Paul Collingwood has faith make-or-break matches bring out the Test captain’s best.

Despite speculation about his chronic knee issue, England insist Stokes – who opted not to train yesterday – is fit for his first limited-overs game against New Zealand since his heroic efforts in the 50-over World Cup final in 2019.

Collingwood, one of England’s assistant coaches and former Durham team-mate of Stokes, added: ‘The one person that you want in your team when the pressure is on is Ben Stokes.

‘I know well that if it comes down to the crunch that you want a man like Ben walking out.

‘We all know what he’s capable of, and not just match-winning innings, but match-winning innings under serious amounts 
of pressure.

‘I’m pretty confident there’s an innings just around the corner, and now we’re coming into the crucial part of the World Cup, and it’s almost a knockout stage for us. You always see Ben come to the fore in those situations.’

Stokes has been spotted with heavy strapping on his left knee in recent weeks but Collingwood, who captained England to their first global trophy at the 2010 T20 World Cup, insisted there were no injury doubts ahead of a fixture which threatens to be overshadowed by the weather, with more rain forecast at the Gabba today.

England’s batting has misfired so far but Collingwood is optimistic their big-hitting line-up can finally click into gear as he demanded a more ruthless attitude for the remainder of the tournament.

‘It’s in our hands,’ he said. ‘In the must-win games you’ve got to make sure that you’re on the more aggressive side of the line, rather than be conservative. I can remember 2010, it was almost like a juggernaut once you got going and the guys understood their roles in the side and the confidence started building, it was very hard to stop.

‘The guys are confident. You can sense it in the nets. I know well that, if they go out there and put their net performances in out in the middle, they’re going to cause a lot of trouble.’

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