England are due to name their squad by the end of this week for the third Test at Edgbaston, which begins next Wednesday.
Advertisement
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 made 589-8 declared and 173-1 declared to set up their second biggest win over Pakistan in terms of runs.
Stokes who walked back to the pavilion in the middle of his sixth over with a calf tear during the fourth day of the 2nd Test at Old Trafford.
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 spokesman added the 25-year-old would also undergo a scan on Tuesday to determine the full extent of the injury.
Stokes absence has not made much difference to the match proceedings though as the home side are inching closer and closer to a victory which will see them equalise the four-match Test series 1-1.
Moeen Ali took crucial second innings wickets as England levelled the series in style at Old Trafford.
England went on to win the Test by 330 runs to square the series 1-1.
But the Durham all rounder will then have to reflect on a frustrating summer in which he will have played just two out of seven Tests as injuries have taken hold.
His partner Joe Root (71no) was in even more of a hurry, pulling Rahat for successive fours in an over which cost 14 as the Yorkshireman raced past 300 runs in the match.
An ECB spokesman confirmed the injury was to Stokes’ right calf and said he would not bowl again on the fourth day.
The latest was a tame edge to Cook at slip after pushing forward to one slanted across him.
Root’s second-innings score of 71 not out, gave him an aggregate tally against Pakistan of 325 runs, following his career-best in the first innings.
Advertisement
After having opener Mohammad Hafeez caught by Gary Ballance for 42, the Worcestershire all-rounder then claimed the wicket of Younis Khan for 28, saving Cook some embarrassment after he had shelled a chance when Younis was in the early stages of his knock.
