Ben Stokes has been ruled out of England’s first Test against Pakistan in Multan as he continues his recovery from a torn hamstring. Stokes confirmed after training on Saturday that he is still not fully recovered from the injury he suffered two months ago while playing for the Hundred, according to ESPN.
In Stokes’ absence, Chris Woakes will play his first Test overseas in two-and-a-half years and first in Asia since 2016, while Brydon Carse will make his Test debut. Ollie Pope will captain England for a fourth consecutive match in Stokes’ absence after leading them to a 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka last month.
“I did my best to prepare for the first match, but we decided to lose this game. “I didn’t manage to be ready for the game,” Stokes said. “We’re at a certain point, but looking at the big picture and what’s ahead and where I am physically with my rehabilitation, I’m not ready to play.”
Stokes spent the first 45 minutes of England’s training session going back and forth with Peter Sim, the strength and conditioning coach. He then hit the nets, facing a push from Rehan Ahmed and the local net players, as well as flak from the England staff, but took a cautious approach to his return.
Now he will target the second Test in 10 days. “I gave it my all,” Stokes said. “I have worked very, very hard with the medical team to get where I am now. I think I am further than we expected today. I will work so hard in the next 10 days to give myself the opportunity to be fit.
“No matter what sport you play, you’re going to get hurt, I’m 33 years old, so I’ve put my body through a lot. I started working incredibly hard in the last two years: I know I’m getting old, so it’s not for lack of trying. It’s just one of those things where, with what we do, you’re going to put yourself at risk every time you go out on the field to get hurt. »
If Stokes is available for the second Test, it could only be as a specialist batsman – although he said it was “too far away” to say. “It is in my plan for 10 days between now and then, including bowling in my training. We have a good plan made up by me and the doctors here, so I will work very hard to give myself a good chance to be ready. »
