England captain Alastair Cook believes playing Ben Stokes in the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston is a a big risk, after the all-rounder walked back to the pavilion in the middle of his sixth over with a calf tear during the fourth day of the Old Trafford Test. Stokes picked up a couple of wickets and scored 34 in the first innings at Old Trafford. But he was clearly comfortable, when he was bowling in the second innings and headed back to the hut, having bowled just 5.2 overs in the second innings. England won the match by 330 runs and leveled the series at 1-1. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD:Pakistan vs England 2016, 2nd Test at Old Trafford
“Ben is a tough nut and a true athlete – a player who plays on that edge, never taking a backward step and one who drags people with him. He is a big miss. Ben will have an MRI scan [Tuesday] and hopefully the scan will be a good one but he said he felt something go and it would be a big risk to play him at Edgbaston,” said Cook, according to express.co.uk. Full Cricket Updates, PAK vs ENG 2016, 2nd Test, Day 4
Cook was pleased with the way England bounced back at Old Trafford after the 75-run loss in the first Test at Lord’s. “We came to this game under real pressure but the guys showed they had learnt from the experience at Lord’s. This was all about us showing that we still can play and to put most of the things right that were wrong at Lord’s in this game was a pretty good effort,” said the England skipper.
Cook also praised Joe Root for his monumental 254 in the first innings , terming it as one of the best innings he has seen. “It was one of the best innings I have ever seen,” said Cook. “To get 325 runs in a match, take four catches and to burgle a wicket as well he did not put a foot wrong all game. He is a world class player.”
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