Ben Stokes makes one request to England chiefs ahead of the Ashes

15 February 2023 , 12:54

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Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum face a huge year with England (Image: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Ben Stokes wants eight fast bowlers at his disposal for this summer's Ashes.

The England skipper will lead his side out for their first Test against New Zealand on Thursday, in what promises to be a huge year of cricket for his partnership with Brendon McCullum.

Stokes has confirmed the experienced pair of Stuart Broad, 36, and James Anderson, 40, in his XI for the first Test in what is England's last series before the Ashes against Australia.

Ollie Robinson makes up the three seamers in the team but Stokes has made it clear that he will need more depth this summer.

Speaking ahead of the first Test with New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, he revealed: "I said to the medical team, 'just give me eight fast bowlers to choose from'. That would be great going into this summer.

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"We are in a great place now considering the first game we had last summer when we probably had three of four seamers to choose from."

Matt Potts is on the tour in New Zealand and will come in to Stokes' thinking alongside a number of other options, although fitness and injury issues remain a concern.

Jofra Archer has held talks with Stokes about playing in the Ashes (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Jofra Archer is back in the frame and despite having not played Test cricket since 2019, has told Stokes that he wants to play against the Aussies.

Saqib Mahmood missed the whole of last summer with a stress fracture in his back, while Olly Stone and Mark Wood have also struggled with injuries in the last couple of years.

Stokes added: "We've got a great crop of fast bowlers coming through at the moment and that's exciting. I'd rather be in a position where I'm scratching my head about who to pick rather than only being able to choose from three or four."

"We will always want variety in our attack. We have the experience of Jimmy and Broady and you want some kind of an X-factor in there as your third seamer. I feel heading into the summer we're in a position where we've got that."

The first day-night test with New Zealand gets underway on Thursday before the second in Wellington next week, ahead of four T20 matches.

Liam Prenderville