London, September 26, 2024: England’s Test captain Ben Stokes is set to return to action for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan after successfully recovering from a hamstring injury. Stokes was forced to miss England’s recent Test series against Sri Lanka due to a hamstring tear sustained while playing in The Hundred for Northern Superchargers on August 11. In his absence, Ollie Pope led the team to a 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday that Stokes underwent planned scans, which showed positive results, indicating his recovery is on schedule for the Pakistan series, which begins on October 7 in Multan. The 33-year-old all-rounder has been in rehabilitation for over six weeks following the injury.
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ECB Statement on Ben Stokes
“England Men’s Test captain Ben Stokes today underwent planned scans on the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Test series against Sri Lanka,” ECB said on Wednesday.
While his fitness has improved, doubts remain over Stokes’ ability to bowl during the early part of the Pakistan tour. Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes hinted that he is still far from match fitness, especially in terms of bowling.
“I’ve been walking and doing gym work for six-and-a-half weeks now. There’s more than just my hamstring that needs to get back to working for bowling,” he said.
England is scheduled to depart for Pakistan next week, with the first Test kicking off in Multan on October 7, followed by matches in Lahore and Karachi. England will be keen to have Stokes back not only as captain but also as a key all-rounder as they face Pakistan on their home soil.
Stokes’ potential return to the squad is a significant boost for England, though the team management will likely monitor his workload to ensure he doesn’t aggravate the injury. England coach Brendon McCullum and selectors will also assess if Stokes is fit enough to resume bowling or if he will play primarily as a batsman in the early stages of the tour.
England’s Upcoming Schedule Against Pakistan:
- First Test: October 7, Multan
- Second Test: October 14, Lahore
- Third Test: October 21, Karachi
Stokes’ return will be vital as England look to continue their strong form under McCullum’s leadership, having recently secured series wins against Sri Lanka and India. The series against Pakistan promises to be a challenging contest, with both teams eager to solidify their positions ahead of future global tournaments.
With the positive recovery news, England fans will be hopeful that Stokes can regain full fitness and lead the team to success in Pakistan. The final decision on his involvement as a bowler in the first Test is expected to be made closer to the match, based on his progress during training sessions leading up to the series.
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