Published: Aug 12, 2024, 05:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 12, 2024, 05:54 PM (IST)
England skipper Ben Stokes had to be helped from the field after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred and is now a serious doubt for the Test series against Sri Lanka.
The 33-year-old had scored 2 runs from 4 balls before being forced to retire hurt, with his England teammate Harry Brook coming out to replace him. Stokes appeared to clutch his left hamstring as he was completing a quick single from the non-striker’s end. Stokes was then placed on to a stretcher and wheeled towards an ambulance but an hour later he was sitting back in the dugout.
“It doesn’t look great, unfortunately, but I think he’ll be getting a scan tomorrow and see how he is,” Brook said when asked about Stokes.
The absence of Stokes would be a significant blow as England’s lineup looked far more balanced during the recent 3-0 series victory against West Indies with Stokes able to bowl again after undergoing surgery on his troublesome left knee.
The first match in the 3-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka will commence from August 21 at Old Trafford.
