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England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the rest of the summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing in The Hundred.<\/b><\/p>\n
The all-rounder will miss England’s three-Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts on 21 August, with vice-captain Ollie Pope to lead the side in Stokes’ absence.<\/p>\n
Stokes, 33, was left on crutches following the injury while batting for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals at Old Trafford on Sunday.<\/p>\n
He is aiming to be fit in time for England’s three-Test tour of Pakistan, which begins on 7 October.<\/p>\n
Stokes, who was playing in The Hundred for the first time in three years this season, pulled up after running a single and had to be carried off the field.<\/p>\n
He had appeared to have returned to full fitness this summer after recovering from surgery on a knee injury that had limited his ability to bowl.<\/p>\n
Stokes opted out of the Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup to assist with his recovery, then led England to a 3-0 series victory over the West Indies, taking five wickets at an average of 34.20 in three Tests.<\/p>\n
He played three times for Northern Superchargers during The Hundred, scoring just four runs and taking no wickets.<\/p>\n
England host Sri Lanka in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford from 21-25 August, followed by matches at Lord’s and the Kia Oval.<\/p>\n
Opener Zak Crawley has already been ruled out of the series because of a broken finger, with Dan Lawrence set to partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order.<\/p>\n
Uncapped fast bowler Dillon Pennington, who was an unused part of the squad for the West Indies series, will miss the Sri Lanka Tests after also sustaining a hamstring injury playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.<\/p>\n
Essex batter Jordan Cox was called up to the Test squad for the first time, while Nottinghamshire fast bowler Olly Stone has been recalled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n