Hamstring tear rules Ben Stokes out of Sri Lanka Tests; Ollie Pope to lead in his absence
England's Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the Test Series against Sri Lanka starting from August 21. Ollie Pope, his deputy, will be leading England in his absence.
Earlier this week, Stokes was playing for the Northern Superchargers against the Manchester Originals in the Hundred Men's. Chasing a target of 153, he opened the batting alongside Matthew Short. On his fourth delivery, he was hobbling across to the other end and was in clear discomfort after which he retired hurt and had to be helped off the field. Northern Superchargers won the game but an injury cloud loomed large over them.
After the scans, it was found that Stokes tore his left hamstring. The England Cricket Board (ECB) put out the following statement:
"England Men's Test Captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on Sunday. 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."
Speaking on the all-rounder's return to action and a replacement for the series against Sri Lanka, they said:
"There will be no addition to the squad for this series. The all-rounder is aiming to return for England's winter Test tour of Pakistan, scheduled to start in early October. The tour includes three Test matches in Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi."
The ECB announced that Ollie Pope will be England's captain in Stokes' absence, stating:
"England batter Ollie Pope will captain the side in Ben’s absence."
You can find the tweet below:
Stokes to miss his first Test series since being appointed as captain
Ben Stokes will be missing his first Test series since being appointed as captain. The 33-year-old last missed a Test series when Team India toured England owing to mental health issues.
In his absence, England's vice-captain Ollie Pope will lead England in the three-match Test Series against Sri Lanka. This will be the batter's first time leading England in Test Cricket.
Ollie Pope has had a mixed summer with the bat so far. The 26-year-old was England's second-highest run-getter in the series against West Indies, scoring 239 runs across four innings. However, he has had a lean patch so far in The Hundred. Playing for London Spirit, he has managed to score a mere 35 runs across five innings.
England will take on Sri Lanka in a three-match Test series starting from the 21st of August at the Old Trafford. Thereafter, the two sides will square off at Lords from the 29th of August with the last game of the series scheduled to be played at Kennington Oval, London on the 6th of September.