Ben Stokes scheduled for hamstring scan ahead of Test Series in Pakistan.
England captain Ben Stokes is scheduled to have a scan for his hamstring injury next week as the team evaluates his fitness for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan.
The 33-year-old cricketer sustained the injury in early August, which resulted in him missing England’s 2-1 series defeat to Sri Lanka.
Despite his absence from the playing field, Ben has been actively participating in training, including a lengthy net session at Durham’s Chester-le-Street last week, and recently took part in the Celebrity Pro-Am at the PGA Championship golf event at Wentworth.
The forthcoming scan is part of a routine monitoring process for his recovery and is not prompted by any recent setbacks. The first Test of the series is set to begin on October 7.
Earlier this month, Ben expressed a cautious approach to his return, prioritizing a complete recovery over a rushed comeback. “I’d rather take an extra two weeks than run the risk of potentially doing something worse and then putting myself out of the game for longer,” he stated.
In light of the injury, the all-rounder remains part of the 17-man squad set to travel to Pakistan on October 1. If he is unable to play in the first Test, Ollie Pope is anticipated to step in as captain.
Ben’s potential availability presents a selection dilemma for England. If he is only able to bat, the team may face challenges in maintaining their preferred balance, which could require him to bat in the top five, displacing a regular top-order batsman.
Alternatively, England may revert to four frontline bowlers, supplemented by Joe Root’s off-spin, a strategy they used earlier this year when Ben could not bowl due to a knee injury.
Meanwhile, there remains uncertainty regarding the venues for the three Tests. While the initial plan was to play in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan, construction work in Karachi could hinder its availability.
There had been speculation about relocating some matches to the United Arab Emirates, but it now appears that all three Tests will take place in Pakistan.
