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Following scans on his hamstring injury on Wednesday, England captain Ben Stokes is “on track” to play in the Test series in Pakistan. Since he tore his hamstring while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on August 11, Stokes has been out of the England team for their most recent Test series against Sri Lanka. England won the Sri Lanka series 2-1 with Ollie Pope filling in as captain of the Test team. However, given the 33-year-old all-rounder’s positive scan results, Stokes is probably going to start leading the team again against Pakistan.
England fly out to Pakistan next week for a three-match Test tour that gets under way in Multan on October 7.
“England Men’s Test captain Ben Stokes today underwent planned scans on the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Test series against Sri Lanka,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Wednesday.
“The results of the scans were positive and confirmed that his recovery, since sustaining the injury six-and-a-half weeks ago, remains on track to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.”
Stokes’ bowling prowess will come under scrutiny early in the tour, even if he is fit to captain England in Pakistan.
When asked if he thought he will be able to bowl in the opening Test, Stokes responded in an interview with Sky Sports on Tuesday.
“I think that’s you getting ahead of yourself. Obviously I’ve been six-and-a-half weeks now of just walking and doing stuff in the gym.
“There’s a lot more than just my hamstring that I need to get back firing and working up again in terms of bowling.”