The Ashes | Ben Stokes has lit England’s fire, says Rory Burns
The Hindu
Visitors have not enjoyed much Test success in recent months
Confidence is high in the England camp, the players believing they can regain the Ashes, with opening batsman Rory Burns saying on Sunday the return of the talismanic Ben Stokes has provided a “massive boost” for the squad.
England has not enjoyed much Test success in recent months, losing home series to New Zealand and India, and has not held the Ashes since 2015.
But the late inclusion of Stokes, who has not played any cricket since July because of a finger injury and mental health issues, has lifted the squad, Burns said.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.