England can boast of Ben Stokes’ heroics – and his team-mate Mark Wood’s superlative last over, where South Africa needed just seven to level the Royal London series – after a gripping two-run win at the Ageas Bowl to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes will miss Monday’s match at Lord’s with Middlesex pair Toby Roland-Jones and Steven Finn coming into the squad along with Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson.
Ben Stokes has been ruled out due to injury he suffered in the second ODI just prior to Champions Trophy.
With Chris Morris needing four off the last ball, Wood held his nerve and restricted the big-hitting Proteas all-rounder to just a single.
England will have bigger fish to fry when they open their Champions Trophy campaign on Thursday against Bangladesh – a tournament where they have a genuine chance of breaking their duck in global competitions in the 50-over format.
But they have yet to dispel concerns about Stokes’ fitness.
The world’s most coveted all-rounder, who went for £1.7 million in the Indian Premier League auction this year, made the most of his fortune to slam 101 off 79 balls. But soreness in his left knee has now restricted him to five overs in two games and he will be sent for further scans today to investigate his injury.
By the time Stoke’s rampage (65 not out from 53 balls) was over, and Moeen Ali had plundered a quickfire 33; South Africa had dropped six catches and 331 was more than AB de Villiers thought he would be chasing after winning the toss.
Moeen has a groin strain and Woakes a thigh injury while a decision will be made on Monday as to whether Stokes should have another scan on his left knee. England expects all three to be fit for Thursday’s Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh at the Oval.
Jonny Bairstow and David Willey can also be given rest for their preparation for the Champions Trophy.
Roland-Jones was called into a Test squad last summer but has not yet played for England in any form of cricket. This is the perfect time to give him an opportunity. Dawson is a straight swap for Moeen and Steven Finn offers England the opportunity to rest Liam Plunkett. David Willey could come into the side for Mark Wood.
“I have had it on and off for about two or three years now,” said Stokes. “It’s all about managing it. It is an injury that comes and goes. On some days I don’t know whether it is going to be good or not. We only really find out how it is when I start bowling.
“Batting and running around the field and everything like that is fine. We are managing it as well as we can with the physios, doctors and myself. It is an injury I have had before and something that sometimes will just go away. I have good days and bad days so I could wake up tomorrow and it could be completely gone but I will just have to monitor it over the next few days.”
Stability has been a core policy of Eoin Morgan’s captaincy, serious .even a hundred at Lord’s will not earn him a place in the match game against Bangladesh unless the injuries turn out too serious.
Meanwhile, South Africa will look to bounce back to win the last ODI to gain some pride back.
England (possible): Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, David Willey, Roland-Jones, Mark Wood.
South Africa (possible): Quinton De Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, AB de Villiers, David Miller, JP Duminy, Chris Morris, Dwayne Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj.