- Ben Stokes pulled up whereas batting for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred
- The 33-year-old punched his leg in agony earlier than being carried off the sector
- England tackle the Sri Lankans in three matches spanning solely 21 days
Ben Stokes has been pictured on crutches after sustaining an harm whereas taking part in within the Hundred, which has put his participation in England’s first Take a look at in opposition to Sri Lanka later this month doubtful.
The England captain left the sector in agony at Emirates Previous Trafford on Sunday as his Northern Superchargers battled in opposition to Manchester Originals, The 33-year-old, who has been on a run of 26-game run for the Take a look at aspect since changing into skipper in 2022, pulled up after haring via for a leg bye from the twelfth ball of the match’s second innings.
Stokes collapsed to the bottom, holding the again of the left knee operated on final December and tossed his gloves away in frustration. He additionally punched his leg in apparent anguish whereas being handled by the Superchargers medical crew.
Fears over his participation in England’s first Take a look at in opposition to Sri Lanka seem to have been realised along with his sighting on crutches, although Stokes will be seen in seemingly excessive spirits in one of many photographs.
Ben Stokes was pictured arriving at his Manchester lodge on Sunday night time with the necessity of crutches
The England skipper minimize a cheerful determine regardless of the prospect of him lacking England’s first Take a look at in opposition to Sri Lanka
Stokes has been ever-present since he appointed captain partway via 2022 and has performed within the final 26 Take a look at matches
Stokes was pictured in want of the strolling aides as he arrived again at his Manchester lodge on Sunday night time. England tackle the Sri Lankans in three matches spanning simply 21 days. The Take a look at tour of Pakistan begins within the first week of October.
Ollie Pope is England’s vice-captain and can be the apparent alternative to steer the aspect in Stokes’ absence.
Requested by Mail Sport not too long ago in regards to the prospect of getting to steer the aspect within the occasion of a Stokes harm between now and the top of 2024 – the three Exams in Pakistan are adopted by three extra in New Zealand – Pope stated: ‘If it required me to do it, I would be fairly clear about how I wish to go about issues.’
Stokes additionally aggravated a broken finger the final time he performed within the Hundred three years in the past, which led to him being contact and go for the Ashes the next winter.
England have already misplaced Zak Crawley for the rest of the house season attributable to a fractured finger, with Dan Lawrence set to open for the primary time in Exams.
The absence of Stokes would additional upset the crew’s stability, nonetheless, as final yr’s profitable knee operation allowed him to function as an all-rounder throughout the 3-0 whitewash of West Indies.
