England vs India: Ben Stokes suffers knee niggle; likely to recover for fourth Test

All-rounder Ben Stokes has been the trump card for England all throughout the ongoing Test series against India. Although England lost the third Test by a whopping margin of 203 runs, the gritty knock from Stokes in the second innings was undoubtedly one of his best performances. However, the feisty batsman seems to have injured himself in the process.

With the T20 Blast in full swing and two more Tests yet to go in the England-India series, Stokes’ injury news is sure to ring nothing but a major alarm bell in the English camp. With the loss in the third Test, England are currently leading 2-1 in the series and the next game is all set to begin at Southampton on August 30 (Thursday).

Ben Stokes suffers a minor knee injury

As reported by ESPNCricinfo, the 27-year-old has suffered a minor knee injury while playing against India in the third Test. Towards the end of India’s second innings, he was seen holding the back of his left knee following a spell of short-pitched bowling on a sluggish surface. In spite of the trouble, he came out to bat in the final innings of the game and put up a stiff bit of resistance, alongside Jos Buttler. Stokes scored 62 runs before being dismissed off Hardik Pandya’s bowling.

The all-rounder had previously missed the second Test at Lord’s since he was standing trial on a charge of affray at Bristol Crown Court. Subsequently, he was brought into the Trent Bridge game. He was rather used as somewhat of an enforcer with 35 overs he bowled in the match. However, in what can only elicit a sigh of relief from England fans, since the injury doesn’t seem to be too aggravated, Stokes is expected to be declared fit for the fourth Test.

As collateral damage, he will be unavailable for Durham’s T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex. Following his injury, the England management has decided to rest him both as an all-rounder and as a specialist batsman – from the Blast quarter-final.

The players who’ve been made available for the exciting T20 campaign are Jos Buttler and Keaton Jennings for Lancashire, while Moeen Ali will play for Worcestershire.

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