Ben Stokes appears set to overlook England’s first Check towards Sri Lanka later this month, and doubtlessly the complete sequence, after struggling what gave the impression to be a severe hamstring harm enjoying within the Hundred on Sunday evening.
Stokes, 33, has been ever-present since taking on as England captain halfway by 2022, however that 26-game stretch seems over after he left the sphere in agony at Emirates Outdated Trafford 10 days shy of the Check being performed on the similar venue.
Batting for Northern Superchargers towards Manchester Originals, he pulled up after haring by for a leg bye from the twelfth ball of the match’s second innings and collapsed to the turf, holding the again of the left knee operated on final December and tossing his gloves away in frustration.
Stokes additionally punched his leg in apparent anguish whereas being handled by the Superchargers medical group, earlier than limping off the sphere and being wheeled into the pavilion on a gurney.
England tackle the Sri Lankans in three matches spanning simply 21 days, putting his additional participation this summer season unsure. The Check tour of Pakistan begins within the first week of October.
Ollie Pope is England’s vice-captain and can be the plain selection to guide the aspect in Stokes’ absence.
Requested by Mail Sport lately in regards to the prospect of getting to guide the aspect within the occasion of a Stokes harm between now and the top of 2024 – the three Assessments 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 need to go about issues.’
Pope, 26, has little captaincy expertise however did deputise for Surrey earlier this summer season when common Twenty20 captain Chris Jordan was away on worldwide responsibility.
‘I stated I’d make the precise resolution typically and be unfortunate and that I’d make the mistaken resolution and get fortunate,’ Pope stated.
‘Having that form of mindset of being at peace whenever you’ve decided and sticking with it’s the technique to go for me.’
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.
He was being assessed within the dressing room final evening and can endure additional checks to evaluate the extent of the injury right this moment.
