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England's Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins at Old Trafford in Manchester on August 21. The injury-prone all-rounder tore his left hamstring while representing Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals in Manchester in The Hundred on Sunday, August 11.
An official release from the England and Wales Cricket Board stated that following scans in Leeds on Tuesday, Stokes will miss the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The ECB won't name a replacement for the injured all-rounder. In Stokes' absence, vice-captain and experienced batter Ollie Pope will lead the team against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the ECB release added that Stokes is targeting a return to international cricket during England's Test tour of Pakistan, which starts in October. The tourists will play three Tests - in Multan, Karachi and Rawalpindi - during their tour.
During the Hundred clash between Northern Superchargers and Manchester Originals on Sunday, Stokes was called through for a quick single during Superchargers' chase.
However, the 33-year-old pulled up after completing the run. He went down while holding his left leg and needed immediate help. The all-rounder eventually returned to the team dugout with the aid of crutches.
Who could replace Stokes for first Test against Sri Lanka?
With Stokes being ruled out of the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, Jordan Cox could be handed his Test debut as a specialist batter. The 23-year-old has played 51 first-class matches and scored 3039 runs at an average of 39.46, with seven hundreds and 12 fifties and a best of 238*.
England also have the option of playing an extra seamer in Matthew Potts or Olly Stone by moving Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes up the order. However, that might weaken the batting to an extent.
The first Test of the series will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from August 21 to August 25. The second Test will be held at the iconic Lord's in London from August 29 to September 2.
The series will conclude with the third and final Test at the Kennington Oval in London from September 6 to September 10. Before Stokes, opener Zak Crawley was ruled out of the series with a fractured finger.
