Supercharged Stokes
The Northern Superchargers may indeed be supercharged in this year’s Hundred, with rumours reaching the Guardian suggesting Ben Stokes intends to join Harry Brook in pulling on the fabled purple jersey next month. Stokes made two appearances in 2021 but sat out last year’s competition to focus on Test cricket (England had three games against South Africa in July and August). He can’t really use that excuse again given his side don’t have another red-ball run-out until January, but was expected to spend August with his feet up – either on a sun lounger or in traction after a possible knee operation. Instead, he is apparently planning to report for duty after taking a short holiday, and while he seeks medical advice about what to do with that troublesome left knee.
