Pope has reiterated his preference for batting at number three and Stokes said England will return to type when Smith returns in the summer.
“We will undoubtedly see Pope back at three and Smudge back in his role,” Stokes said. “Last week we had a problem and we found a solution to it. We looked back at that game and the entire team lineup looked really good.”
Stokes, who has a checkered injury history himself, pulled out midway through his fifth over on the fourth and final morning in Christchurch after feeling back discomfort.
“I had a good few days of rest,” he said. “I visited the physiotherapist to make sure we were all fit for this friendly. I feel good about bowling.”
Both England and New Zealand were deducted three World Test Championship points and fined 15% of their match fees for bowling their overs too slowly in Christchurch. The penalty is one point for each over under-target and the penalty is 5% per over.
The game ended shortly after lunch on the fourth day. England were already out of contention for a place in the final, although the penalty ended New Zealand's slim hopes.
Stokes first wrote on Instagram: “Good for you ICC, I finished the game with 10 hours left to play,” and then explained that his frustration dates back to the 2023 Ashes, when his team scored 19 points out of the 28 they scored in deserved in this series.
“You completely understand why the fans are frustrated,” Stokes said. “We don’t intentionally bowl the overs slower than the rules dictate. In the summer in England it doesn't get dark until half past ten. If the light is enough for us, why don't you just allow it? able to do that?
Stokes revealed that he had raised issues with the ICC through the umpire during the Ashes and has yet to receive a response from the governing body. Since he has not received a response, he has not signed the paperwork documenting his team's inflated quota, which is given to a captain at the end of each Test.
ICC rules state that teams must bowl 15 overs per hour. However, if a team is bowled out within 80 overs – as England did in the second innings against New Zealand – no penalty will be assessed.
The 33-year-old pointed out that it is easier to bowl on time in Asia, where Test matches are usually dominated by spin bowling, but not in countries where there are more seam overs, which generally take longer.
“I am not the only one who shares the view that we would like to have much more communication with the ICC on this,” Stokes said.
