Ben Stokes returned to bowling action by taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma during England’s Test match with India on Friday.
And the all-rounder broke a ‘pinky promise’ in doing so.
Stokes had previously ‘pinky promised’ the team physio that he wouldn’t bowl, having struggled with a knee injury ever since the Ashes in July.
But the 32-year-old put himself forward on Friday, removing Rohit with his first ball since July.
Ben Stokes impressed on his bowling return as England endured a mixed day against India on day two of the fifth Test match
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It was a dream return for the all-rounder, who saw his England side struggle to break India’s resolve until the evening session.
India ended day two at 473-8, with Rohit and Shubman Gill both scoring centuries for the home side.
They are now well-placed to go 4-1 up in the series, with England having plenty of improving to do if they’re to restore some pride.
Yet despite England struggling, Steven Finn believes they couldn’t have done much more.
“I don’t think you can fault how England went about it today,” he said.
“It would’ve been easy for them to be chasing it, to say we’re at the end of a long tour and let India go for it.
“But under the circumstances, they stuck to their task as best they could.
“Ben Stokes’ wicket galvanised them and then in that last session they were clinging on and chipping away.
“I do think they were quite sloppy in the outfield though, and that’s the first time we’ve seen that this series. They are usually impeccable.
“But in terms of what came out of the bowler’s hands, they did a pretty good job.”
England spin coach Jeetan Patel has admitted the players were ‘tired’ following their efforts on the second day.
He is hopeful, however, that the tourists can win the Test and prevent India from extending their advantage.
“Anyone who watches cricket knows that if you put the hard yards in, it comes back round for you,” he said.
“The first session and in the second as well, they batted so well and they deserve credit for that.
“But to finish the day with them eight down, I think that’s a heck of an effort.
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Ben Stokes was mobbed by his England team-mates after his wicket against India
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“There are a lot of tired guys in there and rightly so because they have put in such a shift.”
Former England star Steve Harmsion, meanwhile, has admitted he’s ‘apprehensive’ when Stokes bowls.
But he’s praised the Three Lions skipper and his technique.
“It was a brilliant ball,” he told talkSPORT.
“What I’m most pleased about most of all is – and I’m apprehensive of Ben bowling and watching through the gaps of my fingers – is his actual bowling technique is very very strong. Very good.
Ben Stokes broke a ‘pinky promise’ to an England physio by opting to bowl against India
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“His run-up is very good, his action is excellent and so is his landing. There’s no moving parts.
“It’s always a danger when a bowler comes back and they start protecting other parts of the body.
“His action looks really really strong which I’m so pleased about.”
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