Ben Stokes in serious doubt for first Sri Lanka Test after injuring hamstring

England have been dealt with a body blow ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series later this month as skipper Ben Stokes could be a serious doubt for the first Test, starting August 21, after injuring his hamstring playing for the Northern Superchargers in the 2024 edition of The Hundred on August 12 (Sunday).

Stokes opened the batting for the Superchargers, but had to retire hurt after the 12th ball of the chase after pulling his hamstring while taking off for a quick single. Stokes was at the non-strikers’ end when he took off for a single after the batter at the other end, Oliver Robinson, misconnected an attempted scoop. 

The left-hander made it to the other end, but went down immediately after reaching the crease. Stokes was in visible pain and had to be helped off the field by the support staff. He was later seen in crutches in the dugout. 

Ben Stokes goes off the field due to injury!! pic.twitter.com/D9hpJ381jN

— Usman Jamil (@thtpakistaniguy) August 11, 2024

In the aftermath of the match, Superchargers’ skipper Harry Brook admitted that Stokes’ injury ‘‘was not looking good’.

“Doesn't look great unfortunately, will get a scan tomorrow and see how it is,” Brook said.

It remains to be seen if the injury will be serious enough to rule Stokes out of the entire series, but the England skipper is in a race against time to be fit for the first Test at Old Trafford, which starts in just nine days time, on August 21.

Losing Stokes will be a serious blow for England, who have already lost opener Zak Crawley due to a finger injury. Dan Lawrence is expected to open the batting in the absence of Crawley.

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