Ben Stokes ruled out of summer with hamstring tear, Ollie Pope to lead in Sri Lanka Tests

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes sustained a leg injury while playing in The Hundred for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals on Sunday, August 11. Two days later, ECB has released a statement to reveal that the star all-rounder will miss the rest of the summer after scans conducted in Leeds revealed a left hamstring tear.

After being called through for a quick single early in Superchargers’ chase, Stokes pulled up injured on completing the run, before collapsing to the ground and clutching his left leg. He had to be assisted on the field and returned to the team dugout with crutches. This injury rules Stokes out of the upcoming three-match Test series at home against Sri Lanka, starting Wednesday, August 21.

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ECB confirmed that vice-captain Ollie Pope will take up leadership duties in the absence of Stokes. However, no new player will be added to the squad as a replacement.

“As a result of the scans conducted in Leeds on Tuesday, Stokes will miss England’s three-match Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday, 21 August. There will be no addition to the squad for this series,” ECB said in a statement.

Stokes’ absence against Sri Lanka opens the door for Jordan Cox, who is yet to make his international debut. The 23-year-old is a wicketkeeper-batter but will most likely play as a specialist batter, with Jamie Smith donning the gloves. There is also an option for England to move Smith and Chris Woakes to No. 6 and 7, respectively and add an extra pace-bowling option in Matthew Potts or Olly Stone.

Meanwhile, Stokes is eyeing a return during the Three Lions’ three-match Test tour of Pakistan, which is scheduled to begin in early October. Zak Crawley, who was earlier ruled out of the Sri Lanka Tests, is also hoping to return for the Pakistan tour.

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The first Test is set to be played at Old Trafford, Manchester. The action will then shift to London for the last two games. While the second Test will be hosted at Lord’s, the final encounter will take place at Kennington Oval.

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