England vs India: Captain Ben Stokes ‘good to go’ on day four, says Ollie Pope

Much of the talk around Stokes’ bowling at the start of the summer was about how he would have to limit himself to protect his body.

Despite that, Stokes is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 16 and has bowled 129 overs across three and a half Tests. He only returned to bowling in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in late May.

On day one of the third Test at Lord’s Pope said he had to make sure Stokes “doesn’t push himself to a ridiculous place” after an injury scare.

But, with the game on the line, Stokes bowled marathon spells of 9.2 and 10 overs as England secured victory on the final day.

At Old Trafford he took 5-72 in the first innings – his first five-wicket haul since 2017.

“I’m there to give him a nudge but he also gets this crazy look in his eye sometimes when you go over,” Pope said.

“Rooty [batter Joe Root] plays a similar role but there’s times when you can’t take the ball off him.

“He gets his vision and that’s what makes him such a great cricketer.”