Stokes missed the eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in July, but will be back in action at Old Trafford after playing his part in the one-day global series triumph over Pakistan.
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Alex Hales does not expect to be an England record-holder for long after his 171 helped the team post a new world one-day global mark of 444 for three en route to thrashing Pakistan on Tuesday.
And that has proven the case so far, with England romping to victory in the first three matches to seal the five game series.
There is no place for Hampshire’s James Vince or any call-up yet for promising batsman Ben Duckett, but Ben Stokes is among those returning – following his injuries this summer – for what is set to be his first global in the sprint format since he was hit for four successive sixes in England’s ICC World Twenty20 final defeat against West Indies last spring.
The England spinners kept the Pakistan batsmen in check, with Rashid taking three for 47 from his 10 overs and Moeen two for 39. The most notable among the home side is a call-up for Jonny Bairstow to keep wicket following the warm-up where we presume Jos Buttler strained something.
But the left-handed opener fell for 16 when he sliced Jordan over the offside infield and Ben Stokes, running back, held a good catch.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali praised Hales and Buttler but accepted his own side’s fielding had been well below the required standard. Mohammad Rizwan, who has rarely played in this tour, was lbw to Rashid for six. Amir also hit four sixes, the most by anyone at number 11.
Alex Hales said he was not aware he was closing in on the highest one-day worldwide score by an Englishman in his scintillating 171 against Pakistan on Tuesday.
Plunkett held a good catch at point from a Babar Azam cut in Moeen’s first over, and a much better one diving to his left at mid-on as Rashid saw off the unsafe Sarfaz Ahmed.
It seemed as if England would fall short of the highest ODI score but the last ball of the innings saw Buttler smash Hasan Ali over extra-cover for four to the delight of a capacity crowd.
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Off the penultimate ball of the innings, Gul also hit Willey for six but Pakistan now needed a special display on the field to prevent another England win.
