England's Test captain Ben Stokes believes he is in his best ever physical condition and can dominate with bat and ball on his latest comeback from injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 33-year-old is set to return in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Nottingham next week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stokes has not played since tearing his hamstring in New Zealand in December.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But having rushed back from a similar injury in the past, he has taken a longer period of downtime to get his recovery right.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I've worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I'm going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially be in physically the best possible shape I have been in," Stokes told Sky Sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I feel great. Training and playing are completely different. No matter what you do at training, you cannot replicate the intensity your body is put through in a game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But in terms of my role as a player -- fourth seamer, batting at six -- trying to dominate every situation I find myself in, whether I've got a bat or a ball in my hand, is what I want to get back doing out on the field on the biggest stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I know I've done it before and it's something I'm very, very confident in myself I can do."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the clash against Zimbabwe, England face India in a five-match Test series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former New Zealand seamer Tim Southee will join the England coaching ranks for those matches and a five-game ODI series against the West Indies as a "specialist skills coach".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following a short-term consultancy stint, Southee will resume playing duties in The Hundred for the Birmingham Phoenix.<\/p>\r\n\r\n