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Ben Stokes urges England bowlers to 'run through brick wall' as Oval showdown looms after drawn fourth Test with India - 'Pain is only an emotion'
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Updated 30/07/2025 at 11:24 GMT+1
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England ended the fifth day of the fourth Test against India with part-time bowlers Joe Root and Harry Brook playing out the last session as the match ground towards a draw on Sunday at Old Trafford. England captain Ben Stokes said after the game that while he was considering the workload of his frontline bowlers, he would ask them to put up with the discomfort that comes with the job.
England have 'sense of disappointment and almost heartbreak' - Stokes
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England captain Ben Stokes said that he would "lead by example" as he asked his players to "run through a brick wall" after their draw with India in the fourth Test of the series.
India faced what might have been a gruelling rearguard action with the bat on day five of the Old Trafford Test, after being put to the sword earlier in the match, but instead they were comfortable.
They finished on 425-4 when the match was waved off after Washington Sundar had brought up his century, and they were facing some ineffective overs from Harry Brook and Joe Root as Stokes appeared ready to preserve his frontline attack for the final Test.
Ravindra Jadeja was there at the end with Sundar, with a century of his own of 107 not out. Captain Shubman Gill also contributed a ton earlier in the innings.
Stokes has been managing a hamstring problem and also looked troubled by a shoulder issue on day five at Old Trafford.
With the fifth Test starting at The Oval on Thursday, Stokes will have a decision to make on the fitness of himself and his other seamers - Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer.
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Using Archer again so soon after his problems with injury might be a gamble England are not willing to take, and both Woakes and Carse have played all four Tests.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes said that he would hope to encourage his team-mates to play through the pain barrier, just as he had been.
He said: "I will always try and give everything I possibly can. I ask the guys to run through a brick wall for the team and I will always do the same and try to lead by example.
"Bowling and being out in the field is tough, and I am pretty sore.
"It's a workload thing to be honest. I have got through a fair amount of overs and things creep up on you, but I will keep going. As I say to all the bowlers, pain is only an emotion."
The 34-year-old conceded that the fitness of his bowlers was a concern, and that England would consider their options.
"Even before this Test match, there were conversations around how much effort and energy has gone in especially from the bowlers," Stokes, who was named Player of the Match, added.
"There is another quick turnaround, and we will have to use these few days wisely, check up on everyone and see how they are going.
"We are lucky we have a battery of fast bowlers to call on at any point in time, but we will make that decision."
Gill: If Bumrah is ‘fully fit’ it will be ‘a great deal for us’
Speaking to the BBC, India captain Gill would not rule out picking Jasprit Bumrah for the fifth Test, providing he is fit.
He explained: "I haven't really thought about Bumrah playing. Once we get there, then we will have a look at the wicket, but if he feels fully fit and available for us then it will be a great deal for us.
"But if not, we still have a good bowling attack with Akash Deep being available for the last Test match, and we believe we have a bowling attack that could take 20 wickets."
The fifth Test takes place at The Oval in Kennington, London, starting on Thursday July 31, with England leading 2-1 in the series.
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