Ben Stokes ruled out of Sri Lanka Tests, new captain named

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) named Ollie Pope as the skipper.

Stokes suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s fixture of The Hundred between Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers.

The all-rounder, who bats as an opener for the Superchargers, sprinted for a quick single in the early phase of the run chase and suffered the injury after completing the run.

He was then carried off the field by the medical staff and looked in extreme discomfort.

After his side’s triumph, Ben Stokes was seen using crutches and the Superchargers affirmed that the star all-rounder may have suffered a hamstring issue, which puts his participation in England’s upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka in jeopardy.

As a result of the scans conducted in Leeds on Tuesday, Ben Stokes will miss England’s three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins at Old Trafford on Wednesday, 21 August.

He will be replaced by vice-captain Ollie Pope as England’s Test captain for the upcoming series.

“Surrey batter Ollie Pope will captain the side against Sri Lanka in Stokes’ absence and England will not be adding to the squad ahead of team meeting up next week in Manchester,” stated ECB.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (vc), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Nisala Tharaka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake.

England Squad: Ollie Pope (c), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

READ: England legend appointed as Sri Lanka’s batting coach