Manchester, UK

England Test captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes hurt his left hamstring while completing a run during a game in The Hundred on Sunday (Aug 11), raising doubts over his participation in the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting August 21. Stokes will undergo scans on Monday, which might end his home Test season.

Advertisment

The medical team assisted Stokes off the ground as he spent his night on crutches. Per Northern Supercharges captain Harry Brook, the injury "doesn't look great, unfortunately". 

After the win against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford, Brooks said, “I think he'll be getting a scan tomorrow, and we'll see how he is.”

During the chase, Stokes injured his hamstring after he completed a quick single. Soon after, he clutched his hamstring as the medical staff escorted him off the field. Upon crossing the boundary rope, Stokes seemed animated as he fell and threw his gloves on the ground in frustration.

Advertisment

Stokes was helped off by Harry Booker (strength and conditioning coach) and James Pipe (physiotherapist) to the dugout before he left the stadium in an ambulance.

ALSO READ: Virat, Rohit might play in Duleep Trophy as India gear up for Bangladesh Tests; BCCI to include Iyer, Ishan

Almost one hour later, Stokes returned to the Superchargers’ dugout but on crutches, shaking hands with the Originals’ squad following their win. 

Advertisment

"Ben Stokes is having his hamstring assessed. Further updates will be available from tomorrow [Monday]," a Superchargers spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Stokes was due to play four matches in The Hundred ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests, but his latest injury has jeopardised his participation status for the series.

Worry mounts for England

With Stokes now injured, England could miss their two first-team players for the Sri Lanka Tests, as opener Zak Crawley also got ruled out with a broken finger. The ECB named young batter Dan Lawrence as Crawley’s replacement, who will open alongside Ben Duckett. Uncapped keeper-batter Jordon Cox was named as the backup batter for the series.

However, if Stokes gets ruled out of the Test series, vice-captain Ollie Pope will take over the skipper’s hat. 

Besides, after the Sri Lanka Tests, England will play the white-ball leg against Australia at home before flying to Pakistan for the three-match series beginning on October 7 in Multan. 

(With inputs from agencies)