3 players who can replace Ben Stokes if England captain is ruled out of Sri Lanka Tests ft. Lyndon James
England might have another massive injury setback in the form of skipper Ben Stokes for the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka. They will already be without opener Zak Crawly, who was ruled out of the series due to a fractured finger.
Stokes retired hurt with a hamstring injury during his batting stint for the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred on Sunday, August 11. The southpaw sprinted for a quick single early in the side's run-chase but was injured after completing the run.
While scans will reveal the extent of his injury, it is a realistic possibility that the skipper will miss the Sri Lanka series, with the first Test starting in Manchester on August 21.
Stokes' absence will be a major blow in several ways for England, considering his role as an all-rounder and captain. While vice-captain Ollie Pope will likely take over the leadership mantle should Stokes be ruled out of the series, replacing him will be a herculean task for the England management.
Yet, England aren't without options, especially with the County Championship ongoing and several performers striving for opportunities. Stokes' injury could also be the opening for one or two out-of-favor players to be handed another chance to impress.
On that note, let us look at three potential candidates that can replace Ben Stokes for the Sri Lanka Tests should he be ruled out.
#1 Lyndon James
As difficult as it is to find an ideal replacement for all the attributes Ben Stokes offers the England Test side, Nottinghamshire's Lyndon James might be as close as they come.
A batting all-rounder in the mold of Stokes, James has enjoyed a terrific County Championship Division One season thus far. The 25-year-old has scored 349 runs at an average of 43.62 with a century and a half-century in nine outings.
James has also picked up 20 wickets at an average of 30.10, making him the ideal middle-order batter with right-arm pace-bowling replacement for Stokes. While this might be his best first-class season yet, the youngster has sufficient experience of over 50 games with over 2,200 runs and 74 wickets.
At 25, this might be the ideal time and place for England to make a like-to-like replacement for Stokes in the form of James.
He picked up four wickets in the first innings and scored a game-saving 47* off 122 balls in the second innings in his most recent outing for Nottinghamshire.
#2 Ben Foakes
![Will Foakes get an opportunity in a home Test for the first time since 2022? [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/08/7fdc4-17234548082435-1920.jpg)
Surrey wicket-keeper Ben Foakes might be the biggest beneficiary should Ben Stokes be ruled out of the Sri Lanka Tests with injury. Having already played 25 Tests for England, the 31-year-old was left out of the squad for the recent home series against the West Indies.
While he struggled for runs in the prior series in India, Foakes' dropping was slightly harsh considering his batting position of No.7 and the alien conditions in India. Despite young wicket-keeper, Jamie Smith massively impressing in his debut series against the West Indies, both he and Foakes could play in the same lineup with one of them playing as a pure batter.
Foakes has a Test average of only 29.20 but a major reason for that is 23 of his 29 games coming away from England. The gloveman averages an impressive 40 in his six Tests in English conditions but hasn't played at home since 2022.
It may be worthwhile for the management to consider Foakes for the home series against Sri Lanka, considering his experience and pedigree in the lower middle order against the red-ball.
Yet, the only thing that could work against Foakes is his sub-par numbers in the ongoing County Championship for Surrey, with an average of under 27 in eight outings.
#3 Paul Walter
Essex's batting all-rounder Paul Walter has been in scintillating form at the 2024 County Championship Division One. While he has played only the last four games for his side, the 30-year-old boasts stellar numbers.
Walter has scored 366 runs at an average of 61 and a strike rate of 68.28 with a century and three half-centuries in six innings. Being a left-hander, he could help bring variety to a completely right-handed England middle-order without Stokes.
Walter also offers a left-arm-medium pace-bowling option, picking up three wickets thus far in his four matches for Essex this season.
With 48 first-class games and over 2,200 runs under his belt, the time might be ideal for Walter to get his first go with the national side in a similar role to Stokes'.