Ben Stokes ruled out of Sri Lanka series; replaced by Chris Woakes
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Sri Lanka’s tour of England has provided the fans of the game with some respite from the over-does of T20 cricket recently.
The Sri Lankans made a mockery of themselves in the first test managing to surrender to an innings defeat but not everything was rosy for the hosts in the three days that the match was finished.
Star all-rounder Ben Stokes jarred his knee on the turf at Leeds during the second day of the test match and it is now understood that he is completely ruled out of the second test match of the series.
It is understood that the player underwent scans on his knee and is to see a consultant to “decide on a management plan”.
Specsavers County Championship players Woakes and Jake Ball will not join the England squad in the place of Stokes who will not have a part to play in the second test match of the series at Chester-le-Street next week.
An England and Wales Cricket Board statement on Monday morning read: “England all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the second Investec Test at Emirates Riverside after sustaining a left knee injury during England’s first Test victory at Headingley.
“Following a scan yesterday and review by the medical team, it was advised that Stokes would be unavailable for the match in Durham,” he added.
It was also revealed that he will be meeting a consultant on Monday and that a decision on his training will be taken.
Ben Stokes will, unfortunately, miss the game on his home turn and is understood to be replaced by Chris Woakes who has not played international cricket since the start of the year.
His last cap was at Centurion in January and England will hope that he is fully fit and can give his 100% against Sri Lanka in the game at Durham.
It will be interesting for England who will be happy to replace one all-rounder with another and will hope to get a similar result from the next test match as well.