Ben Stokes Trains at Sydenham Cricket Club Before Departure

England cricket captain Ben Stokes showcased his skills during a series of training sessions at the Sydenham Cricket Club in Christchurch, New Zealand, as he prepares for an upcoming departure. Stokes, who has a notable history with the club, previously trained with them in 2019 and 2020 during his visits to the region. His connection to Sydenham runs deep, with his brother James Stokes participating in one of the club’s social T20 teams and his mother, Deborah Stokes, also having played for the club.

A Warm Welcome and Valuable Insights

Club president Graham Harris expressed enthusiasm about Stokes’s presence. “He’s a very dedicated cricketer and a very humble guy, and the guys love training with him,” Harris noted. He added that Stokes is always willing to share his expertise, both in batting and bowling, enhancing the experience for younger players. “If he felt he could add value, he would, and I think they had a very, very good experience.”

Over three sessions held on Friday, Sunday, and Monday, Stokes worked with both premiership and championship players at the club. Mitchell Gardner, the Sydenham captain who faced Stokes during a season in the UK in 2016, attended the Sunday session at the Hagley Oval nets. Gardner remarked on the challenge of competing against one of the world’s premier all-rounders, stating, “On the Sunday, he was cranking it up with his bowling full tilt.”

Impressive Performance Despite Fatigue

Gardner noted that while the batters enjoyed the challenge initially, the pace of Stokes’s bowling surprised many. “A few of the boys said it was coming down pretty quick. I was lucky enough to catch an outside edge or two, but there would have been 100 runs in between those,” he explained. He added that Stokes was likely operating on very little sleep, stating, “Especially on that Sunday when he was really charging in, you can hit the ball, but he bowled a bumper at me, and I sort of got halfway into hooking it and it was already flying into the back of the net.”

Despite the excitement surrounding Stokes’s training sessions, not all players were optimistic about the upcoming Ashes series. Player McArdle expressed confidence in Australia’s chances, predicting a 3-1 victory for the home team. “Aussies are always tough to beat at home,” he concluded.

Stokes’s commitment to maintaining his skills and engaging with local players highlights his dedication to the sport and the cricket community. As he prepares for his next challenges, both on and off the field, his time at Sydenham will certainly leave a lasting impact on those who trained alongside him.