‘I will try to make it enjoyable and fun for him’ – Ben Stokes on Shoaib Bashir replacing Jack Leach in 2nd Test against India

Ahead of the second Test match of England’s tour of India, the English team’s most experienced spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out. The reason for this was a leg injury that he suffered during the 1st Test Match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The spinner has been ruled out of the squad as a precautionary measure to give him a rest for the other three Test matches of the match Test series. 

England’s captain Ben Stokes welcomed Shoaib Bashir to the squad as he replaced an injured Jack Leach for the second Test match. Stokes recently Discussed if Bashir is selected for the game, he will try to make it fun for him so that he can remember this game well in his career. 

Ben Stokes on playing Shoaib Bashir in 2nd Test Match 

“He’s ruled out of the second Test,” Stokes said, speaking of Leach’s injury. “Unfortunately, the knock he took resulted in a hematoma in his leg. It’s a big shame for us, a big shame for Jack, obviously after a long time out of the game with his back,” said Stokes. 

“If he was to play on this tour, then the great thing he has on his side is, what is there to lose? That is how I will be thinking about it, if he gets the chance to play: just to make sure I can give him the best experience I possibly can. Because you only play your first Test match once. If he does play, then I will be trying to make it as enjoyable and fun for him as I can,” he added.

“Myself, Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Popey (vice-captain Ollie Pope) will probably have a longer think about it. We looked at the wicket; I gave it a tap, and a play-around to make it look like I knew what I was doing. Bash is in the squad, we haven’t brought him here to have an experience. If we feel we want to turn to him, we will,” Stokes concluded.