England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out of next week’s third test against Pakistan due to a calf injury.
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England captain Alastair Cook said on Monday that batting with Joe Root encouraged “blockers like me” to go for their shots after his side’s senior batsmen dominated Pakistan’s attack in a crushing second Test victory at Old Trafford.
England bowler James Anderson celebrates after dismissing Pakistan batsman Shan Masood during the day four of the 2nd Investec Test match at the Old Trafford in Manchester on Monday.
Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball will vie with Steven Finn to replace injured Ben Stokes in England’s third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, after keeping his place in the squad.
The fact that Sam Robson, who averaged over 30 from his first seven Tests and Adam Lyth, with 20.38 after his seven, were both dropped despite having better records than Vince will also give him food for thought.
England’s margin of victory represented their fifth biggest Test win in terms of runs and was a far cry from the ignominy of their 75-run defeat in the opening clash of the series at Lord’s.
He had to have surgery on his left knee after injuring himself during the first Test against Sri Lanka in May.
England resumed Monday on 98 for 1, already a huge lead of 489 runs after Cook opted against enforcing the follow-on.
England 2nd innings: 173 for 1 dec (Alastair Cook 76*, Joe Root 71*).
He eventually departed for 28, caught by Alex Hales off the bowling of Moeen Ali, after Mohammed Hafeez had been caught by Gary Ballance off the same bowler.
There wasn’t too much that could have got better so I’m really pleased with the character we showed, obviously to get bowled out like we did at Lord’s and then bat like that. We need to persevere, work hard & learn from some mistakes to bounce back.
Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah took 10 for 141 at Lord’s, but only managed figures of one for 266 at Old Trafford. “Yes, he’s a big player for us – he adds a lot of spark to the team”, he told reporters.
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The sight of a grimacing Stokes slowly walking off the field in Manchester suggested that, at the very least, the Durham star would struggle to be fit for the third Test at Birmingham s Edgbaston ground which gets underway a week on Wednesday.
