Ben Stokes sustains serious injury, assisted off the field by teammate – Video Available
England Test skipper Ben Stokes had to be assisted off the field on Sunday while representing Hundred team Northern Superchargers. All-rounder Stokes, 33, sustained an apparent hamstring injury during their game in Manchester and was escorted into the stands by two Superchargers staff members. He clutched the back of his left leg in agony on the ground after hitting a quick single. England will kick off their three-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 21 at the same Old Trafford venue.
On the other hand, England opener Zak Crawley has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka due to a fractured finger.
Crawley has been sidelined after fracturing the pinky finger on his right hand while trying to take a catch during the recent third Test triumph over the West Indies.
The 26-year-old will now focus on recovering in time for England’s tour of Pakistan in October.
Ben Stokes had to be carried from the field after suffering an injury playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred
— England’s Barmy Army(@TheBarmyArmy) August 11, 2024
With Crawley out, Dan Lawrence is expected to open alongside Ben Duckett.
Lawrence has been part of several England squads but has not featured in a Test since 2022.
The 27-year-old made the switch from Essex to Surrey during the winter and has had a strong start to the County Championship season, averaging 53.09 at a strike rate of 74.68 with two centuries and three fifties.
England has made several changes to their lineup ahead of the West Indies series, giving Test debuts to Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith, and now welcoming Essex batsman Jordan Cox for the first time.
The 23-year-old has been involved in the England setup before, joining the white-ball tour of Pakistan in 2022, and will be aiming to make his international debut against Sri Lanka.
Untried seamer Dillon Pennington, who was part of the squad for the 3-0 series win over the West Indies, joins Crawley on the injury list after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
Pennington is expected to be out for the remainder of the English summer.
Nottinghamshire fast bowler Olly Stone returns to the Test squad for the first time since 2021 and will be eager to add to his three Test appearances.
The first Test against Sri Lanka will begin at Old Trafford on August 21, followed by the second match at Lord’s and the third at The Oval.
England squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka:
Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
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