E‌NG vs SL | Stokes likely to return for Pakistan Tests after hamstring injury

Stokes tore his left hamstring two-and-a-half weeks ago while representing the Superchargers in the Hundred. He aimed to complete a couple of runs when his hamstring gave up at the last moment, leaving him laid down in pain. The intensity of his agony looked so extreme then that he needed to be carried off the field by two team staff. 

However, the good news for the English fans is that the all-rounder has been with the Men’s Test team in the ongoing bilateral series against Sri Lanka and was seen batting at the Lord’s nets recently.  

"It's still very early days in the rehab period… I want to get back as quick as I possibly can, so being around the medical team here with physio and doctors, I thought that was going to give myself the best chance of getting back sooner rather than later,” Stokes said in a recent ECB video.

Stand-in captain, Ollie Pope believes that Stokes will be "as fresh as anyone" for the winter Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand, which are also an integral part of the World Test Championship 2023-25.

"Injuries are never ideal, but they're also great chances for people to keep improving their game and have a little bit of time of reflection and think about what he can work on in his game. I'm sure that's exactly what he's doing in the nets. Going into that Pakistan series and then into New Zealand, he's going to be as fresh as anyone,” expressed Pope. 

England have won the first Test by five wickets and are one-up against Sri Lanka in the three-match series. They will look to seal the series by winning the Lord’s Test that starts August 29.