Ben Stokes: England sweat on all-rounder's fitness ahead of first Test in Pakistan - 'We don't know just yet'
By Leon Imber
Updated 05/10/2024 at 16:14 GMT+1
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Ben Stokes is a doubt for England's tour of Pakistan, as the 33-year-old continues his recovery from a hamstring tear suffered in August. The England captain trained on Friday, but team-mate Zak Crawley said "we don't know just yet" if Stokes will be available. The all-rounder missed England's 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka in the summer, with Ollie Pope deputising as captain.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Anticipation in the England camp for their upcoming Test series in Pakistan has been slightly marred by the uncertain status of Ben Stokes – who continues to recover from a hamstring tear.
Stokes missed England's triumphant series against Sri Lanka in September, and was expected to return from injury in a batting capacity when his side face Pakistan in a three-match series starting on Monday.
Stokes returned to training on Friday for the first time since suffering the setback in August, batting for around half an hour in the nets, while also bowling six to 12 balls off a few paces.
Zak Crawley, who missed the Sri Lanka Test with a fractured finger, told BBC Sport on Friday: “He [Stokes] seems to be going well, recovering well from his injury. We don’t know just yet. I think he’s got to do a few more tests, but he’s been doing some running and stuff.”
An England statement on September 25 said Stokes "remains on track to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan", with hopes the captain will participate in some capacity across the three matches.
Ollie Pope is the likely candidate to fill the captaincy void if Stokes is unable to take part. The 26-year-old skippered England to their 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka in the summer.
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England's slim hopes of qualifying for next year's World Test Championship final at Lord's rest on Brendon McCullum's side winning all three Test matches in Pakistan – a feat they achieved two years ago as Stokes inspired the 3-0 whitewash with a string of stunning performances.
While pace bowler Olly Stone is set to see a disrupted tour with his wedding scheduled for the day after England's opening match, Josh Hull is set to be sidelined with a quad injury.
Crawley, however, has belief in the options England have available.
"We've got a really deep squad, with plenty of options with the ball and with the bat as well," he said.
"We've got bowlers who can bat really well, as proven in the summer. We feel ready. Whatever team comes out, it will be a nice balance either way."
On his own return to action from injury, Crawley added that he feels "brand new" and is excited to get back into the swing of things in Multan.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there," he said. "I've certainly missed it, so I can't wait to get out there again with the boys.
"I've come back with a new hunger. I feel like I've got a lot of energy. No one wants any time out, and I wouldn't choose to do it again, but I've taken some positives from it for sure."
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