In Stokes’ absence England have named a 14-man squad for the Edgbaston Test, with pace pair Steven Finn and Jake Ball joined by Adil Rashid.
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Stokes, who made a comeback in the second Test at Old Trafford after recovering from a knee injury, limped off the field on the fourth day while bowling his sixth over of the innings.
Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder, has been ruled out of the third Test against Pakistan after scan results on Wednesday (July 27) revealed a tear in his right calf muscle.
The 25-year-old will be seen by England medics at the team’s training session at Edgbaston for a proper review of his injury, where he can wish Woakes all the best on his home ground while he is in the form of his life.
It is an eerily familiar story to that of 2014 when his breakthrough winter was followed up with just two Tests the following season and after his recent double hundred in Cape Town, his body has let him down once more.
Ben Stokes will miss next week’s third Investec Test against Pakistan with a torn right calf, the European Central Bank has confirmed.
Stokes has had an injury-ravaged summer, in which he has yet to complete a Test match or play in any limited-overs fixture for his country.
His previous misfortune opened up an opportunity for Chris Woakes, who has been a revelation with both bat and ball since that recall and will be a certain selection for both remaining Tests in a series level at 1-1. With back-to-back Tests coming up, it is little more than two weeks until the final match at The Oval, starting on August 11.
Coach Trevor Bayliss admitted before Wednesday morning’s selection meeting that Vince’s position would be discussed.
“But as I said after the last game, runs will count”.
“It might get you out a few times, but it scores you a lot of runs”.
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England squad for third Test: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
