Prior to the start of the third Test match against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the England team have received a blow as the England all-rounder Ben Stokes is out of the third Test and is to miss the match as he has suffered a calf injury. He was injured during the second Test match while bowling on the fourth and last day and was unable to complete his over due to the injury he sustained. He immediately left the field due to the pain. He will be undergoing few tests so as to ascertain the gravity of the injury caused to him.

It seems to be a difficult year for Ben Stokes as it is the third time in past one year that he has suffered an injury as first he injured his shoulder last year followed by an injured knee in the home Test series against Sri Lanka in the month of May. Now it is the third injury which he has suffered.

The England selectors have named a replacement and have added seamers Jake Ball and Stephen Finn to the thirteen member squad. Both the players were the part of playing XI of the first Test but were dropped due to non-performance. We may see Stephen Finn being chosen ahead of Jake Ball due to his experience. Rashid Ali may again be seen warming the bench in this match too.

England’s 13-man squad for the third Test against Pakistan: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, James Vince, Chris Woakes.