Eoin Morgan plays down Ben Stokes injury as England win opening ODI against South Africa

Ben Stokes pulls up after bowling during England's one-day international victory over South Africa on Wednesday. Gareth Copley / Getty Images

England captain Eoin Morgan moved to allay concerns over the fitness of Ben Stokes as the hosts launched their one-day international series against South Africa with a convincing 72-run win at Headingley on Wednesday.

The only cloud on the horizon as England went 1-0 up in a three-match contest ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy tournament on home soil was the sight of Stokes leaving the field during the second innings after suffering pain in his left knee.

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Stokes, in his first England match since his most valuable player-winning stint in the lucrative Indian Premier League competition, came back on the field later but did not add to his tally of two overs.

Morgan, whose 107 laid the platform for England’s win over South Africa, the world’s top-ranked ODI side, said Stokes had been given the all-clear to bowl by medical staff but that he saw no point in recalling him to the attack with the home team on the brink of a commanding win under the Headingley floodlights.

Stokes had surgery on the same knee last year but Morgan said all was well with his star all-rounder.

“When he came back on the field he was fit to bowl, but we managed to take a wicket when he came back on and I felt bowling him again, even though he was fit, wasn’t worth the risk ... give him an extra day or two with ice,” Morgan said.

“It doesn’t even have swelling, no significant signs of an injury, but we’ll assess that in the next couple of days.

“He did the right thing, went off to get checked, because knees can leave you out for up to six months or a year if something significant does happen.

“He came back on with the green light to bowl and was running around, but he understands. He’s an experienced campaigner.”

Morgan’s innings and an unbeaten 77 from Moeen Ali, with the two left-handers sharing a century stand, helped England pile up 339-6 against South Africa.

They then dismissed South Africa for 267 with five overs to spare, Ali winning the man-of-the-match award after taking two wickets with his off-spin.

* Agence France-Presse

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