Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes 'overwhelmed' by England call-up
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Your support makes all the difference.Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes admits getting picked for England has been "overwhelming".
The hard-hitting 20-year-old made his one-day international debut in last week's low-key defeat of Ireland in Dublin and is expected to feature again against India in the coming weeks.
Stokes has been retained in the squad for tomorrow's one-off Twenty20 match at Old Trafford and the five-match ODI series which follows.
The Durham academy product had been tipped as a potential England player but, after breaking a finger earlier this summer, was caught by surprise by his call-up.
Stokes said: "It has been said but this season has been quite frustrating with injury, so I didn't let it come into my mind.
"I was totally focused on getting back to full fitness, back on the field for Durham.
"Getting picked in this has been overwhelming for myself."
Stokes is hoping to make amends after scoring just three against the Irish but has only one discipline in which to impress as his strapped finger will prevent him bowling.
He added: "It is frustrating knowing that it is an injury holding me back, not to bowl.
"But I will feel that I am in the game a lot in the field as well.
"I just need to add more to the team with the bat knowing I can't bowl.
"Batting is my strongest suit at the moment but I have worked pretty hard on my bowling over the winter and it was improving until the injury happened."
England were forced to train in the indoor nets at Old Trafford yesterday due to rain, although they did do some fielding drills on the outfield later.
The upcoming matches pit the 2010 World Twenty20 winners in England up against the reigning ODI world champions.
England go into the series buoyed by a 4-0 rout in the recent Test series and Stokes believes the momentum can be maintained even though both sides will field a number of different personnel.
He said: "There have been a few (India) players flown back but they will still be a tough challenge.
"But the players in the (England) dressing room who have come from the Test team will be full of confidence, so I think we are on top at the moment."
England could have two other new faces in their side tomorrow with Jos Buttler of Somerset and Nottinghamshire's Alex Hales both in the Twenty20 squad.
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