Ben Stokes plays down hype around 100th Test

Stokes will become the 16th England player to get to 100 Test matches when he takes the field on Thursday with the crucial ICC World Test Championship series in the balance at 1-1. 

"It [100] is just a number," Stokes said ahead of the Test match.

"I don't want it to sound like I'm not thankful for the opportunities I've had, but with milestones, it's not done until it's done."

Having made his Test debut more than a decade ago in 2013, Stokes became a mainstay for England across formats. He has over 6000 runs and nearly 200 wickets in the longest format of the game. 

"Every Test is just as important as the next one," Stokes said. "Then there's the next one, which will be 101. It's just one more.

"It's a sign of longevity, but 99, 100 or 101 doesn't make much difference."

Stokes made a name across formats as an all-rounder, but has not bowled in a while due to a chronic knee injury. However, he has been bowling in the nets ahead of the third Test, but it remains to be seen if he takes the ball in Rajkot with England naming two other quicks in the XI.

"It's little and often [bowling in training] now," said Stokes, stating that he bowled three overs at about 70% intensity in the nets ahead of the Test.

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"We don't have a plan with where I go with my intensity. It's just how I feel at the time, but also not getting too far ahead.

"The rest of my body has to get up to speed with bowling and this was another step forward."