Super Kings wait for Stokes to be ‘100% ready’ before using him as a bowler

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Fleming said Stokes was “progressing well” and added that he had taken steps towards full fitness in the month since England’s second Test in New Zealand.

“He had quite a bit of time off between the last test match and coming here, and he had some medical work done on the knee,” said Fleming. “We want to do the right thing by Ben and make sure he is 100 per cent ready to go.

“He’s not there yet and neither is the bowling form. We’re working closely with him but he’s making really good progress. We’re really happy with what he’s done so far and I think he’s pretty positive about the progress he has made.”

Super Kings used just five bowlers in their Friday night defeat with Moeen Ali and Shivam Dube both unused. They will soon have Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana available after international duty, and Fleming said Stokes’ return to fitness would boost later in the season.

“That’s another addition to the side when he starts bowling,” Fleming said. “We’ve got some good players coming in and we’ve introduced some players today, so it’s not all bad.”